Just a bunch of stuff i've seen lately

[Mairosu]

BRIDGE OF SPIES ... I can totally see someone else - say, Scorsese - taking this script and making a taut cold war spy thriller from it. But not Spielberg. For this purpose, he takes the Capra route, with Tom Hanks being his "aw, schucks" James Stewart as a honourable lawyer who is thrown into a diplomatic limbo trying to secure the release of a downed American pilot. Hanks - in an understated, yet very powerful performance - is the centrepiece of this film, which moves slowly but assuredly, and uses situational humour rather than sense of dread to advance the events. The final shots of the film, with Hanks riding the commuter train, are as Capra as anything the man himself directed. A great film, not only as a historical document, but as well as a testament to one man's commitment and beliefs. ****/****

[Alien Redrum]

Run All Night deserves more attention than it got.

[Mairosu]

IN THE HEART OF THE SEA ... old school epic about a Nantucket whaler which runs afoul of a huge ass white whale is entertaining enough to keep you in it, but it offers no real value outside of that. Still, it's beautifully shot, Chris Hemsworth is very charismatic as the sea-savvy first mate, and it manages to rouse just enough epic-ality from average viewer to keep itself afloat (har har). Sadly though, I don't think there's an audience for this sort of film anymore. **1/2 / ****

[Mairosu]

BLACKHAT ... this story of a dangerous hacker threatening world economy starts off pretty intense, but the excitement dries up after a big shootout in the middle and second half fully exposes the script's shortcomings. Michael Mann is in fine form, but even his capable direction can't save you from falling asleep past the hour mark. Shame. **/****

[Alien Redrum]

As a huge fan of Mann's work, that movie was fucking horrible.

[Mairosu]

As a huge fan of Mann's work, that movie was fucking horrible.

It's frustrating. I really enjoyed some parts, ie. the visualisation of a hack attack. But everything else is fairly stale.

[DJBenz]

MAD MAX : FURY ROAD ... I think I'll forget most of it by the end of next week.

I watched it a couple of months back and all I can remember is there was some cars in it. And a desert.

KINGSMAN : SECRET SERVICE ... Essential viewing. ****/****

Run All Night deserves more attention than it got.

You think? I thought it was pretty middle of the road.

[Mairosu]

HARDCORE HENRY ... I have enjoyed this otherwise quite silly film like nothing recently. The story is not much of a story, just a pretext - evil mobster wants to make a clone army and one his subjects escapes. It's the execution which stands out, as HARDCORE HENRY is shown completely from first person. Yeah - like a video game. So if you like FPS videogames, you'll like HARDCORE HENRY. And Sharlto Copley has a blast playing five-six different characters. Danila Kozlov is no slouch as the main villain either. *** / ****

[Mairosu]

CRIMINAL ... this story of a rough convict (Kevin Costner) being implanted memories of a CIA operative (Ryan Reynolds) in order to save the world from an evil anarchist is as original as...well, something wholly unoriginal. But it works! It's a thrilling 2 hours, it's competently shot and Costner has one of his best roles in a long while. Don't be put off by the bad reviews and underwhelming box office - it's a ton of fun. *** / ****

[Mairosu]

THE NICE GUYS ... Shane Black's most recent film, a story about two PIs who investigate a murder of a porn star in 1977. los angeles, is just enough funny and entertaining to keep you engaged for its duration - but nothing else. Crowe and Gosling are funny, the girl playing Gosling's daughter is great, even Kim Basinger is great, and that's all swell, however script offers nothing news, most oneliners we've heard before in one way or another, and the only good joke that I caught involves Omar Sharif and a Volkswagen. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang was "new Shane Black!", THE NICE GUYS, I'm afraid, is "just another Shane Black". **1/2 / ****

[Mairosu]

EDDIE THE EAGLE ... this "biopic" about Eddie Edwards, the British ski jumper who awed the world at the Calgary olympics for all the wrong reason, is so far removed from the facts it's hard to call it a biopic at all. But fuck - it's tons of fun. It has a likable schlub for a lead (Taron Egerton from KINGSMAN), a gritty American sidekick (Hugh Jackman in a really good role), few smarmy villiains (the British olympic committee guy is a proper douche) and enough servings of vintage feelgood - just like COOL RUNNINGS, its spiritual predecessor, also had in spades. Easily one of the most enjoyable films of last few years, and a welcome throwback to the good sports movies of old. I cried after the final jump. **** / ****

[Mairosu]

MR. RIGHT ... exit Shane Black, enter Max Landis. Where NICE GUYS was just a bunch of literal retreads, MR. RIGHT is a breath of fresh air. Sure - the topic of a hitman falling in love with an average girl is rather stale, but the performances are a hoot, the script is snappy, and the film never gets boring due to the tremendous chemistry shared by everyone on-screen. Highly enjoyable 90-odd minutes. *** / ****

[Mairosu]

IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE ... oddball story of a Swedish immigrant who drives a snowplow in some Norwegian wasteland and his subsequent quest to avenge his son who is accidentally killed in a gangland mixup will look pretty straightforward to American viewers - the European audience however will spot the interwoven social commentary and get a few healthy laughs out of national stereotypes in play. The beautiful scenery gets a lot of exposure, and solid cast - Stellan Skarsgard and Bruno Ganz add some heavyweight punch - lift this above average status. Hearing Bruno Ganz speak Serbian, with a delivery which sounds as if Marlon Brando did a Comrade Tito impression, is a rare treat. Original Norwegian title : KRAFTIDIOTEN. **1/2 / ****

[Mairosu]

Hello Malta!

WAR DOGS ... upon first glance, everything is all right here. Jonah Hill's towering performance, semi-interesting story about two bros running guns across middle East, and enough Scarface references to fill a magazine column - seemingly, nothing could go wrong here. Except the fact that the story is very, very flat, and that no amount of scriptwriter's imagination can save it from all too likely outcome. In the end, you feel like you watched a documentary with some acting added for good measure. The girl who plays the lead actor's love interest is OUTSTANDINGLY HOT, tho. **1/2 / ****

[Mairosu]

THE ACCOUNTANT ... this oddball story of a seemingly regular accountant who suffers from some form autism and does extra sensitive work in his off hours is SO well executed and so well paced you really forgive the blah script solutions in the final third and the weak ass "villain" (otherwise played fine by John Lithgow). One of Affleck's best roles so far, and Anna Kendrick is still very cute. *** / ****