Movies

Margot at the Wedding

When successful writer Margot decides to go to her sisters wedding with her son, she is not impressed with her fiance, Malcolm. This and each of there mental problems and rough family history make for an uneasy visit.

Nicole Kidman and quite notably Jennifer Jason Leigh are brilliant as the fractured sisters both with a lot more internal acting going on. Jack Black is good in a straight role for once. Also John Turturro is on top form in an unfortunately small role as Margot's estranged yet loving husband.

Whilst impeccably played the plot is confusing and the message is unclear. None of the larger issues are resolved and the subplot involving the next door neibhbours is barely covered. The whole thing feels like a play yet one that would far better on stage than presented in a movie.

A Well Played and Intelligent take on dysfunctional family dynamic yet ultimately confused and hard to swallow.

Rambo

John Rambo had gone into hiding, running a boat on the rivers of Thailand when he volunteers to run a group of missionaries into wartorn Burma. When they don't return he dicides he must take up arms again with a ragtag bunch of mercenaries sent into the rescue.

Stallone once again shows his unfair his detractors are with his portrayal of a now far more weary and disillusioned Rambo. Julie Benz makes a proper jump from TV (recurring roles Angel and more recently HBO's Dexter) as missionary herione Sarah Miller.

Directing and co-writting, Stallone does a great job of showing the horror of the civil war in Burma, pulling no punches, even depicting the murder of defenseless women and children. This said with its graphic violence and massive bodycount the movie is not for the easily offended or faint of heart. The pace is tight and the action is well staged.

A simple yet exciting action story, well told.

Jumper

Young David Rice discovers he can teleport from place to place so he escapes his broken home to a comfortable and consequence free existence. 8 years later and he is about to find that he is not alone and his life is no longer carefree.

Hayden Christensen is merely a okay actor in my opinion and whilst he carries the movie adequately enough he is acted off the screen by Jaime Bell and Sam Jackson (here making an inspired choice of playing the villain with a subdued confidence).

Doug Liman is very talented director visually and when it comes to designing shots. This shows here with some inventive action and effects sequences. The pacing is poor however, there are long periods where not enough really happens. This leaves us hankering for the action which in itself is a little space. Also a lot of meaty sections of the plot seem to be missing for the sake of possible sequels leaving this movie lacking a little.

An enjoyable movie with hopes of a decent franchise but of itself only okay.

Juno

Clever and quirky 16 year old, Juno McGuff becomes pregnant by her best friend and decides that she just can't terminate the child. All seems set though, when she plans to let a childless couple adopt the baby after she gives birth.

Ellen Page is definitely shaping up to a fine young actress and someone one to keep a eye on the future as she deftly holds this movie on her shoulders. Michael Cera is very enjoyable, if the nerdy boy is no great leap from his usual roles. Jason Bateman is great in a role that is played so well you are unable to judge the character.

Jason Reitman directs this movie which doesn't go down the expected roads at any stage. The characters are incredibly well drawn and likable and the dialogue is very punchy and memorable.

A wonderfully offbeat gem of movie.

Cloverfield

Rob Hawkins is about to leave New York for a great new job, when as he is having his leaving party a mysterious skyscraper sized creature attacks the city. Rob and his friends must escape the city in one piece.

All the actors were of a good quality especially Michael Stahl-David and T.J. Miller as the friend documenting the events via video camera. Miller's character also did a good job of injecting humour to the proceedings whilst not going overboard into being clownish and unbelievable given the circumstance.

Cloverfield is told in a Blair Witch video camera style from the characters point of view trying to survive the devastation rather than seeing off the monster. This adds to the high tension nature of the action as you never know more than the characters and are as easily surprised or set on edge. This make the characterization weak though and you never become that invested in the people. This makes the ending lack in real impact.

Whilst the personal subplot is a little weak, the action is told in a exciting and interesting way. Well worth a watch.