Whatever Works

Ok, so I really don't get Curb Your Enthusiasm. Its the same cheap and stupid human of the likes of an old Bill Murray. Say the same thing enough times, in the stupidest voice, whilst making all kinds of erratic gestures and people laugh. Lazy humour for me. I'm also not the biggest fan of Woody Allen. I like some of his stuff, I hate some of his stuff. Not the greatest portents then as I made my way down to The Showroom. What can I say? I liked the trailer!

The film in a large way is what you'd expect. Another ridiculous and unlikely romance (at least she's not Korean Mr Allen!) which seems to be the director playing out his fantasises (I couldn;t imagine who else could be bald, old, unattractive, Jewish and wear glasses...) and it's way too scripted for me. Its like a sitcom. Its like there has been a script written round a few gags and the entire thing is a project to fit them in. Sometimes it's plain stupid and I'm constantly expecting canned laughter. As for David himself, he can;t act. Pure and simple. He's a very good writer but he hasn't the charisma or ability to deliver lines. (it's probably why Seinfeld is infinitely better than Curb..) Wood is good (but then again she always is) and there's a nice cameo of over-acting.

Having said all that it's actually really fun. its quite bright and fluffy. Its a very pleasant way to spend an evening. It wont change the world, and there's nothing new, but there's enough here to keep any film fan entertained. It's very Allen and a natural next move from Vicky Christina Barcelona. There's good use of first person narrative and snappy dialogue. Don;t expect too much though.

Greenberg

I'd heard great things about this, so I popped down to The Showroom last Friday in spite of my reservations about Ben Stiller playing a leading man in an Indie film. Am I missing something here, but I really cannot see why anyone would find him attractive? The whole concept of him playing the handsome, charasmatic older man is a bit off to me. His character has zero charisma as well so it's a bit weird when he is inexplicably is able to attract (after jumping on) a woman 15 years his junior. This stood out as a bit off for me. However, he's actually very good in this and surprisingly subtle and laid back.

The other very noticeable aspect of this is new indie starlet Greta Gerwig. She is excellent in this. It's the first time I've really paid any attention to the female body type of actresses. I suppose we're just fed a constant stream of very slim actresses on film and TV, and don't really consider their body type. Whilst Gerwig is obviously a very attractive lady and has a very nice figure, the difference between her form and that of other actresses leapt at me from the screen(it's even eluded to by Stiller in the dialogue). Its actually very refreshing to see a romantic leading lady who could easily be someone you know in real life.

The film itself is a very pleasant indie romantic comedy. It's very laid back and unassuming. I thought Rhys Ifans steals the show at times, and it comes across as a meditation on lost dreams and how we change as we grow older. Also, on lacking direction or confidence and how it effects the young and the not so young. I was particularly amused at the way the party scene was used to show the differences between Stiller's character and today's generation. Its a very pleasant way to spend an evening.

The Good, The Bad, The Weird

A few years ago South Korea was making the best films in the world. Sharp, stylish, funny, clever and bright. Overflowing with new ideas and great acting. They made the best romantic films. Sadly good things don't last, I've not seen something great for ages but I have now.

Coming from a director with the pedigree of Kim Ji-Woon(A tale of Two Sisters, A Bittersweet Life, The Foul King) and starring Song Kang-Ho (The Host, JSU, Memories of Murder, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance), Lee Byung-Hun(A Bittersweet Life, JSU) and Jung Woo-Sung (Musa The Warrior, A Moment to Remember)greatnes was always to be hoped for.



The plot? Erm, there's a map, there's a treasure. There are gangs, bounty hunters, The Japanese Army, Korean Freedom Fighters and God knows who else after it. Chaos and madness ensue. Its kind of a mix between adventure and western. Its absolutely nuts. It's ace. There are some lovely clever moments, great shots and some nice deaths. A great way to spend an evening.

The Brothers Bloom

I went to see this at The Showroom on a whim. I didn't really know a great deal about it but I thought I'd give it a shot. Turns out, it's a little gem of a film. The first pleasant surprise was seeing Rinko Kikuchi, who is in a couple of very good Japanese films in the shape of A Taste of Tea and Funky Forest:First Contact. The second is the style, it's very indie and very cute. The third is the great cast.

The story surrounds two brothers, Bloom & Stephen (Brody & Ruffalo), who grow up living off heir own wits and discover their talents as con-men. Stephen is the mastermind whilst Bloom is his leading character. As time goes on, Bloom finds it difficult to distinguish between reality and fantasy and wants out. Stephen talks him into one last con, the rich eccentric recluse, Penelope (Weisz) and his life changes.

This film possesses so much charm and little things hat makes it pretty special. Its beautifully filmed and there are moments of utter genius. The dialogue is wonderful and this is one of my favourite lines I've heard in a long time.

"I think you're constipated, in your fucking soul... I think you might have a really big load of grumpy petrified poop up your soul's ass. "

It really is one of the best unexpected treats I've had at the cinema in a long time. It falls away a bit but genuinely lovely, surprising and heart-warming.

The Killer Inside Me

I'll admit upfront that I don't really get Winterbottom and the hype around his films. Sure, I liked 24 Hour Party People and Code 46 was kind of interesting enough, but for a man who gets lauded for his direction I see a lot of ideas over actual substance or style. He seems incapable of the basic tenants of film making. I was also dubious about the hype and media attention around the violence against women in this. It all seemed like some dubious Daily Mail headline. As someone who watches a lot of foreign films I'm kind of desensitised to it to a degree. Its only in the English- speaking West that we seem to be unable to comprehend that murderers, rapists, child molesters and lawyers can hit women too. Its like some stupid unwritten Hollywood code from the 1930s and has nothing to do with real life.

Anyway, I digress. I've avoided most of the hype around this so I went down to The Showroom on Friday with an open mind. The thing that stands out the most about this film is Casey Affleck. He puts in an extraordinary performance that should, if there was any justice, see him up for the Oscar nod. He is perfect for the character and scarily believable. He pulls off the evolution of Lou with aplomb. The other central performances are strong (although it gets a bit Lynchian at times with some of the cast)

The direction is sound, if slow at times, and the script does enough without trying too hard. Its beautifully filmed and realised and the flashes of macabre humour are ingenious.

Now for the controversial bit - the violence. There are two main issues I guess. Firstly, the connection between violence and arousal. I suppose this really goes back to Straw Dogs in a way, but this isn't the 70s any more. People have to accept that some people get turned on by "a bit of rough". Secondly, the violence against women. There are two main scenes of this, and yes, especially the first one is pretty hard to stomach. I must admit it did almost make me laugh though as I wish I could take a punch that well. It did begin to border on the comedic after a bit. But, there's a reason behind it and it's not just thrown in to garner publicity or cheap thrills. In fact, the whole film is very intelligently and carefully written to show the journey Lou undertakes to make him the man he is.

I left this thinking it was a good film, a solid 7/10. The more I think about it though, the better it becomes. It's so well crafted that it stays with you and I'd say, on reflection, that it's a good 8/10. Well worth checking out but if you're not prepared to accept the violence then don't bother.