Year: 2013
Director: Spike Jonze
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Plot: A lonely man falls in love with an artificially intelligent operating system designed to interact and run his daily activities.
Review: I'm not really a fan of love stories, and probably never will be. But for my money, Her would be the most unique love story I've seen in a while.
Spike Jonze, who wrote and directed the film, presents a love story between a man and an operating system. The setting is obviously somewhere in the near future, where a lot of things are automated, and computers respond to users the same way a human would. In this story, Theodore Twombly is a lonely guy going through a lengthy divorce. He writes personalized letters for clients for special occasions, and seems to be fine for the most part, except not having someone important in his life. Then he purchases a new operating system that is programmed to meet his needs, organise his day to day affairs and even become his friend.
However, the operating system, who names herself Samantha, isn't just a computer that talks. She is capable of thinking and feeling, and responding to Theodore the same way a close friend would. Eventually Theodore and Samantha fall for each other, but she continues to evolve in ways neither of them anticipated, which leads to certain complications.
Sure, a love story like this might seem like a stretch on the surface, but Jonze is a terrific screenwriter. Because of that, every line of dialogue spoken in the film feels brilliant and real. A lot of times you'd feel like they're saying what you're feeling as you watch the story unfold. Add to that the excellent production and costume design (mostly pastel or light colours), cinematography and music score, and what you get is a really comfy yet moving story about love and life.
Joaquin Phoenix is perfect as Theodore. He's so good I can't picture anyone else in the role. He is the kind of guy we can easily relate to, a regular guy who thought he understood everything going on around him, but learns a lot more as the story moves along, discovering things about people he never truly realised, like his wife Catherine, played by Rooney Mara. Mara is good as well, though she only has one memorable scene here. Amy Adams lends solid support as Theodore's best friend, and like Theodore, I can relate to her easily as well. Scarlett Johansson provides the voice of Samantha, and I gotta say, she's the right choice indeed. Originally Samantha Morton was the voice (hence the name Samantha), but Jonze had Johansson re-record the lines and it was a good decision. The interaction between Theodore and Samantha is the film's key strength, and Johansson's low and sexy voice matches Phoenix's voice like a glove.
If there's anything I didn't like here, it would be the intimate moments between Theodore and Samantha. For me, it was rather awkward having a computer system feeling and imagining itself having a sexual encounter with a human. Later Samantha even attempts to take it a step further, though I won't spoil it for you. In hindsight, I can understand Jonze's reasons for including this element, but at the time I saw it, it felt quite strange.
Overall, I'd recommend Her to anyone who enjoys love stories. On another note, I'd really want one of those operating systems. Sounds really cool. (4/5)
Year: 2014
Director: Peter Berg
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster, Taylor Kitsch, Emil Hirsch, Ali Suliman, Eric Bana
Plot: Based on the true story of the failed Operation Red Wings, where four Navy SEALS are trapped in Afghanistan, left to fend for themselves after their presence is discovered by the Taliban.
Review: Like many American war films before it, Lone Survivor pays tribute to their fallen heroes in the line of duty. For me, this film reminds me of Black Hawk Down, one of my all time favorites, due to the many similarities between them.
Director Peter Berg has gone to great lengths to ensure this story is told as accurately as possible, though there are a few minor deviations. He based his film on Marcus Luttrell's book of the same name, Luttrell being the titular lone survivor. While the book gives a far more detailed account of life as a Navy SEAL, Berg focuses on this particular failed mission. I have no idea where Berg filmed this, but the location seems quite authentic. The rocky mountains used to represent Afghanistan look accurate enough, with great camerawork by Tobias Schliessler to capture the scenery as well as the intense firefights that take place.
The story is as follows: four Navy SEALS, Luttrell, Murphy, Dietz and Axelson, are sent to Afghanistan on a recon mission to find Ahmad Shah, who is responsible for killing 10 SEALS. They successfully obtain his location, only for them to be subsequently discovered by three goatherds. After deliberating it, they decide to release the goatherds out of mercy, thereby risking their lives when the Taliban surround them and they have to fight to survive.
Like Black Hawk Down, the four men's experience is brutal and unflinching. You will see lots of blood, wounds and broken limbs as the men are shot at by the Taliban, then taking more injury as they tumble down the rocky side of the mountain. If you're squeamish, this is definitely not the film for you. It is to Berg's credit, as well as the make up guys for pulling off this feat. Speaking of which, the action sequences were well shot, the intensity of the moment very well documented by Berg and his team. Every bullet, explosion and fall is shown in gory detail.
The acting is solid all around of course. Mark Wahlberg deserves most of the applause for a job well done, but Ben Foster, Emil Hirsch and Taylor Kitsch deserve just as much credit for their excellent work. The relationship between the four men are akin to brotherhood, and it shows on screen. Special mention goes to Ali Suliman, who was in Berg's The Kingdom, as Gulab, a kind Afghan who protects Luttrell from the Taliban in the film's third act. Despite barely able to speak English, he comes across as an honorable man, and a key player in Luttrell's story.
The main drawback here is the lack of characterization as Berg focuses more on the mission itself. We do get a few things like Murphy thinking of buying a horse for his wife, Dietz contemplating the color his wife wants to paint their house etc, but it's few and far between. Still, it doesn't take away the sense of unity between the four men, and their harrowing journey during that mission is overall well presented.
It's a solid and realistic war film that's based on real events, and should be watched on the big screen for best results. Recommended. (4/5)
Year: 2013
Director: Ben Stiller
Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Shirley MacLaine, Adam Scott, Patton Oswalt, Sean Penn
Plot: Walter Mitty, the negative asset manager for Life magazine, is missing the negative for a picture that will be used for the magazine's final issue cover. In an effort to locate the photographer who took the picture, Walter embarks on an adventure around the world and discovers a thing or two about living his dreams.
Review: If you're the kind of person who's had that dream about doing something, but never got around to doing it, then this film is something you can definitely relate to. Let's face it, we're all dreamers to a certain degree, no matter how much of a realist some of us are. I dare say that there's a bit of Walter Mitty in each of us.
Ben Stiller lets go of his usual brand of comedy to bring us a very heartwarming tale that's based on an old short story by James Thurber. He plays the titular character, who leads a mostly uneventful life, the type of guy who would only dream of taking risks. Heck, sending a wink to a girl he likes on a dating site took him some effort. But on the flipside, Walter is good at what he does, which is managing picture negatives for Life magazine, which is downsizing in its move to go online entirely. The magazine's star photographer, Sean O'Connell, was supposed to leave Walter a negative to be used for the magazine's final cover, but he can't find it. So Walter has to do what he usually wouldn't do: embark on a global adventure to find Sean and get the negative.
What makes Walter's quest entertaining is the stuff that happens in between, such as his fantasies (which are hilarious by the way), his phone conversations with Todd, a guy who is trying to build Walter's dating profile, and his interactions with Cheryl, a co-worker that he has a crush on. All this makes Walter's daily life not only fascinating, but also something most of us would understand totally and maybe even envy, especially once his traveling begins.
Stiller, who also directs, puts in an honest performance as Walter. Now, let's be clear, he isn't that much different from the guys he usually plays in his previous films, except he considerably tones down the clumsy loser aspect of himself here. As Walter, he is someone I can truly relate to, comprehend and root for throughout the film. Kristen Wiig shares good chemistry with him as Cheryl, and I'm glad this isn't a film where she gets the chance to be funny, this ought to be Stiller's film anyway. Adam Scott does well as Ted, the jerk of a new boss at the magazine, who seems to have an intentionally paste-on beard meant to make him look ridiculous. Sean Penn has a short appearance as Sean O'Connell, but makes every second of it count. He really looked like a photographer, scruffy appearance and all. Shirley MacLaine is also great as Walter's mum, playing the kind of parent we all wished we had. Patton Oswalt, despite only showing up in the final third of the film, is pretty good in his phone conversations with Walter as Todd.
The film could use a bit of editing here and there as it feels too long at times, but it's a minor complaint. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, even the technical aspects were spot on, from music to cinematography (I'm still wondering if Stiller filmed on location in Greenland and Iceland).
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty is the feel good film of the year. If it doesn't do that for you, it'll at least make you want to travel more. Recommended. (4/5)
Year: 2013
Director: Steve McQueen
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt
Plot: Based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from New York who was tricked, kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841.
Review: I am glad to have been able to catch this film, as films of this kind aren't easy to find on this part of the world where I'm from.
Much like Django Unchained but with much more realism and less over-the-top theatrics, 12 Years A Slave is a film about slavery, and like Django, it doesn't hold back on the brutality of the era. Director Steve McQueen takes this incredible true story and tells it like it is, which will break your heart at times, but you never lose hope for its hero, Solomon Northup.
Based on the book of the same title written by Solomon, it recounts the harrowing 12 years of Solomon's life as a slave, after he is tricked and kidnapped by slavers, and then sold to farm owners in New Orleans. He is renamed as Platt and put to work, first with a kind but indifferent plantation owner named Ford, then later sold to a slightly unhinged and cruel cotton farm owner, Edwin Epps.
At first, Solomon defies his current situation before eventually doing what he has to do to live another day, even if it means leaving behind his former life as a carpenter and violinist back home. But through Chiwetel Ejiofor's awesome performance, we as the audience never lose sight of his hope that some day he will be liberated and he will find his way home. Ejiofor puts in every emotion required exceptionally well, whether it's standing up for himself or during quieter moments when he ponders his fate. He should receive an Oscar nomination here, he truly has earned it.
Not to be outdone is Michael Fassbender, a frequent collaborator with McQueen, who gives Edwin Epps a menacing demeanor, making him exceptionally cruel, but not over-the-top evil. The fine balance Fassbender provides his character to keep him relatively human despite being a deceitful one is commendable. Sarah Paulson also shines as Epps' spiteful wife, who despises her husband as much as the female slave he covets. That female slave in question, Patsey, is played splendidly by newcomer Lupita Nyong'o, who may not get as many dramatic scenes as Ejiofor overall, but hits a home run whenever she gets her chance. Brad Pitt, who is also one of the film's producers, gets a minor role as a Canadian abolitionist who helps Solomon. It's a short appearance, but he's effective nonetheless.
McQueen himself, as well as the production crew deserve plenty of credit too. They've certainly gone out of their way to make this story as authentic as possible. The recreation of the era, especially the farms and land in the south is amazing. Add to that the great cinematography (most evident during silent and long lingering shots of the trees and sky), costumes and music (party music featuring fiddles and flutes or sing and clap songs of the slaves) and you have a beautiful yet haunting depiction of a time gone by.
12 Years A Slave is a truly remarkable film with equally remarkable performances from its cast. It's not an easy film to sit through (it's as violent as it gets), but it's a must watch. (4/5)
Year: 2013
Director: Carl Rinsch
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rinko Kikuchi, Tadanobu Asano, Ko Shibasaki, Jin Akanishi
Plot: A group of 47 masterless samurai aka ronin band together to seek vengeance against a ruthless shogun for their master's death.
Review: Multiple delayed releases usually means a film is in trouble, that it has problems that will affect its audience reception. 47 Ronin is one such film, finally seeing the light of day after being held back a few times. After seeing it, I can say that it's better than I expected.
While it is by no means a perfect film (more on that later), it is visually astounding and culturally accurate. First time director Carl Rinsch directs this Hollywood adaptation of the well known Japanese story Chushingura, and does quite a decent job overall. The technical aspects of the film, such as visual effects, cinematography, set design and costumes are all excellent. I particularly loved the vibrant colours used throughout the film, that made it easy for the audience to identify the characters from each other. Rinsch also did a good job on the action sequences, some involving CGI, some just being straight up sword fights, though my minor complaint would be most of the fights not lasting long enough.
The subject matter is solid enough. A group of samurai are dishonored after their master is sentenced to commit seppuku (honorable suicide) for a shameful act, which was caused by a rival lord's witch. Their leader Oishi vows to seek revenge for his master's wrongful death and collects his comrades for one final assault against the lord, with the help of a "half-breed" man named Kai, whom they used to look down on in the past, but now rely on because of his "special" powers.
The acting quality of the cast is more or less decent. Hiroyuki Sanada as usual scores the most points as Oishi, having played this type of role many times before. Rinko Kikuchi comes a close second as the witch, clearly relishing her role and hamming up her performance, which works somewhat even though some of her lines are kinda cheesy. Tadanobu Asano (Battleship and the Thor films) is rather miscast however as rival lord Kira, who is outshone by Kikuchi and not given much to do. Keanu Reeves is decent enough as Kai, his limited acting range and brooding personality matching his character's traits somewhat.
Although the film is visually striking and coherent overall, it could use some tighter editing here and there, as it tends to drag whenever something crucial isn't going on. Some of the dialogue needs polishing too, especially those involving Ko Shibasaki's character Mika, Kai's love interest. I would also have preferred the final action sequence being longer and more epic, but that's just me. Oh, and some of you might have an issue with everyone in this film speaking English when they're in Japan, but I didn't have a problem with it, as it's not the first time it's happened (Valkyrie, anyone?).
47 Ronin is not as memorable as say, The Last Samurai, but it's solid entertainment overall despite its rather obvious flaws. (3.5/5)
