SEPTEMBER 2005 MOVIE VIEWING #755 - #765

25 Sunday
Cinderalla Man (Ron Howard 2005) 3/5
[Rivoli Cinema 6 - Advance Screening] #765
Ron Howard's directorial film about the life story of the Cinderalla Man - boxer James J Braddock. Russell Crowe portrays Braddock with stunning success, displaying poise, anger and courage as he works his way up during the depression to win the Heavyweight Title of the World. Renee Zellweger is quite good as his wife, so too Paul Giamatti as his faithful manager. A better boxing film than Million Dollar Baby, and yes, the neighbour Sara Wilson is played by Rosemarie DeWitt- Braddock's real life grand daughter- a nice touch.

24 Saturday
28 Days Later (Danny Boyle 2002) 1.5/5
[DVD] Film #764
Some say the scariest film since The Exorcist. A virus is unleashed and London is devastated 28 days later when everyone is turned into raging murderous. For a horror film it contains some gorgeous music and cinematography which often feels out of place in the whole scheme of the movie. Standard paint by numbers kind of film, with some truly awful scenes and sounds.

23 Friday
The Interpreter (Sydney Pollack 2005) 1.5 / 5
[DVD] Film #763
Difficult, muddy film involving Nicole Kidman, as an interpreter, overhearing an assassination plot on a U.N Head of State. Kidman's accent is too distracting, and whilst Sean Penn is quite convincing as the Secret Service agent, his acting seems contrived in parts. The story is very formulistic with several typical stereotypes (cop with coffee all the time). Again, as with a lot of films, we don't feel any empathy towards certain characters that we are supposed too- so we don't care what happens to them.

22 Thursday
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (Ken Burns 1991) 3/5
[DVD] Film #762
Interesting story about the three men who each in their own way, created AM and FM radio. As per Ken Burn documentaries there are some terrific insights from 'talking heads' and the footage from 'This is Your Life' is especially touching.
Burns really does have a tight, brilliant control over all subjects he films- and this is no exception.

21 Wednesday
Red Eye (Wes Craven 2005) 1.5 / 5
[Hoyts Highpoint Cinema 2. 9.00pm] Film #761
Predictable edge of the seat thriller set predominantly on an airplane. Fails however because we don't care enough about the 'heroes' of the film, in particular Brian Cox. Because of this, we don't care what happens for them, nor feel any empathy towards them.
Granted there are some nice plot devices in her which keeps the story going, but with the generic characters, and predictable finish, this film is nothing new.

18 Friday
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit ( Nick Park 2005 ) 3/5
[Victoria Gardens Cinema 8 8.50pm] Film #760
The first full length feature film involving the animation of Wallace and Gromit. This film was just the perfect length, and the script was predominately strong. There were some flat points , however you can't help but marvellous at the meticulous work required to get this kind of animation on the screen. Some lovely movie in jokes (Harvey), and nice vocal turn by Ralph Fiennes.

11 Sunday
Sapphire ( Basil Dearden 1959 ) 2.5/5
[ABC] Film #759
A black girl, passing herself off as white is found murdered in a park. Interesting film about racial tensions and bigotry in Britain. Nigel Patrick as SuperIntendent is quite convincing. Some parts of the film feel abstract and seem to lose connection at some point. Some intruging ideas and fascinating characters.

10 Saturday
I Am A Fugitive From a Chain Gang ( Mervyn LeRoy 1932 ) 3.5/5
[TCM] Film #758
Paul Muni is stunning as a fugitive who escapes from a chain gang, only to return voluntarily for 90 days in exchange for being pardoned for his crime. However, his pardon never eventuates and he must escape again to survive. Some genuine heartstopping moments with Muni's performance emotional and compelling. Fast moving narrative and nicely photographed, with an ending that is cinema at its best

Seance on a Wet Afternoon ( Bryan Forbes 1964 ) 3.5/5
[ABC] Film #757
Fine haunting film about a couple who plan to kidnap a child, then advise the parents that they know the child's whereabouts after hosting a séance. Kim Stanley is frighteningly wonderful as the mother and psychic holding together their plan whilst her weak-minded husband (Richard Attenborough) realises the sadness of their motives. Strikingly beautiful in black and white, with wonderful narrative structures.

5 Monday
Little Caesar (Mervyn LeRoy 1931 ) 2/5
[DVD] Film #756
The film which made Edward G Robinson a star. A gangster who climbs up that underworld ladder to become the underworld crime boss. Robinson's delivery is so unique that he is compelling to watch- he is almost a caricature of himself. The story itself is difficult to follow and feels stilted. Famous last line is cinema history.

2 Friday
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Tim Burton 2005 115mins ) 2/5
[Rivoli Cinema 1 7.00pm] Film #755
Colourful remake of the Roald Dahl children book by the same name. Johnny Depp's portrayal of Willy Wonka is a cross between reclusive Howard Hughes, and scary Michael Jackson- but it doesn't quite come off.
There are several disappointing aspects of this film - the Oompa Loompa's are played by one actor, and as a result, the computer effects of that are pretty poor. The storyline between Willy Wonka and Charlie's Grandfather (Grandpa Joe- played by David Kelly) showed a lot of promise, considering Grandpa Joe worked in the Wonka factory all those years ago- but the potential for a moving subplot never eventuate. Odd, considering Burton is a master at 'mending' relationships (aka Big Fish).
On the plus side, the cast of all children was wonderful, and the look of the film was impressive , although I felt under whelmed by the look of the Chocolate Factory inside.