Category Archives: Drama Reviews

Apr 22 2012

Apocalypse Now

Viewed – 21 April 2012  Blu-ray

Collector’s edition

When it comes to war movies, few have the legendary legacy of this 1979 epic.  Directed by cinematic auteur Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather Trilogy) and starring Martin Sheen as a grizzled soldier whose seen too much and done too much.  This tells the story of a planned assassination against a rogue Colonel (Marlon Brando) during the backdrop of the Vietnam war.  Perhaps in subsequent years, this movie has become more famous for its trouble production than its majesty on the screen, which is a shame as this is shot in a stunningly poetic style, with great use of music from the likes of The Doors to The Rolling Stones, that really hammers home the madness of one of the most unpopular wars in history.

Coppola has created a grand vision, that although a little lacking in the pace department, and with an over-use of moody voice over, is filled with diverse characters (including a scene stealing Dennis Hopper) and stunning set-piece battle scenes (the ride of the Valkyries comes to mind – Charley Don’t Surf!) with simply gorgeous cinematography from Vittorio Storaro.  If comparing it to the likes of Full Metal Jacket, Platoon etc, it doesn’t quite have the edge for me, but instead has its own identity, and the humbling dream-like mood at times certainly packs a punch.  Combine this with quality performances, most notably Sheen but also an enigmatic Brando in a memorable final act – this still deserves its place in movie history.

This Blu-ray release has been overseen by the Director himself, and it shows.  This 70mm filmed movie explodes with colour and detail, making it one of the best I have seen.  In places the movie does show its age, but surprisingly comes to life more in the night scenes than anywhere else.  Close-up detail is good and overall the image is clean and very enjoyable.  Add to this impressive sound from the DTS HD Master Audio Soundtrack, as this was one of the first movie’s to pioneer 5.1 sound, with the action and the music really delivering.  Extras for this 3 disk edition are exhaustive.  We have both versions of the movie on the first disk (I watched the theatrical cut), both with an audio commentary from Coppola.  We also get the feature-length documentary The Heart Of Darkness, as well as a wealth of interviews, featurettes, image galleries, trailers and much more.  One of the finest Blu-ray releases yet.

Verdict:

(the movie) 4 /5

(the Blu-ray) 5 /5

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Apr 12 2012

Born On The Fourth Of July

Viewed – 12 April 2012  Blu-ray

During the eighties and early nineties, movies exploring the Vietnam war became a genre all of their own.  Some of the finest examples of cinema came out of such an uprising, most notably Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, Robert DeNiro classic The Deer Hunter and also this often forgotten gem from Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK, Natural Born Killers).

Tom Cruise plays real-life war veteran Ron Kovick, who after being injured in combat, went on to become a much celebrated activist for the ending of the war in Vietnam, which had claimed thousands of lives through the late sixties and early seventies.  Unlike some of the best ‘Nam movies though, this doesn’t focus on the conflict, but more on the people affected by it, especially Kovick whose life was turned upside down by his injury and his beliefs.  Stone’s movie is powerfully put together with an unforgettable score from John Williams and a career best from Cruise.  It packs a helluva punch too, heart-breaking and utterly absorbing, with an attention to detail Stone has become famous for (nabbing an Oscar for his efforts).  He remains possibly the best director of American history and tells it without glamour or rose-tinted glasses, but as it was, warts and all.  Surrounding cast members, such as Willem Dafoe, Kyra Sedgwick and the much underrated Frank Whaley are all very convincing too, even if its clear from the outset, Cruise is the star.

Perhaps in this age of CGI and amazing effects, some of the make-up and aging looks a tad weak, and at times the sentimental tone is hammered home a bit too strong.  Also I’d have liked more Vietnam action, but that’s a personal preference.  That being said, this is a movie that excels in its emotion and story, and has a draining but also uplifting quality that for me, makes it a classic.  Highly recommended.

The Blu-ray I am glad to report has an excellent picture.  Detail throughout is very good.  Grain does get a little heavy in darker scenes, but this retains the crisp quality of the image so I’m not complaining.  The movie’s soundtrack also has a good thump to it, and John William’s score as well as plenty of music all help create a good experience.  Extra’s consist of some archive news footage and a commentary from the director, which if you have ever listened to Oliver Stone talking you through a movie, is worth its weight in gold.

Verdict:

(the movie) 4 /5

(the Blu-ray) 4 /5

Apr 3 2012

My Week With Marilyn

Viewed – 03 April 2012  DVD

I come to this movie at a loss, as I don’t really have much knowledge of movie star Marilyn Monroe beyond her iconic image and an old Elton John song.  That isn’t to say that her enduring iconic beauty hasn’t fascinated me.  This movie attempts to show a candid, little seen side to the actress, from the viewpoint of a relative outsider to her harem of agents, acting coaches and bodyguards.

Colin Clark is a young man from a wealthy English family who yearns to be a part of the movie industry, so lands a job as an assistant director on a movie being directed by and starring Laurence Olivier.  Yet the big name isn’t the famed english character-actor but that of his co-star, Hollywood superstar Marilyn Monroe.  During the time on the movie Colin finds Marilyn not to be the confident, bold personality he’s been lead to believe but that of a shy, nervous and over-protected woman … who he falls in love with.  This is a movie boasting a trio of excellent performances, and a story that sheds light on someone who was otherwise hidden behind a fake manufactured image.  Marilyn is heart-breaking and tragic, but also endearing and funny; a free spirit not unlike Princess Diana, equally trapped in a world that suffocates her.  I felt very sorry for her, and Michelle William’s remarkable performance really captures the frightened little girl inside.  Kenneth Branagh is very good too as Olivier, coming across at first as hard-nosed and tough, whilst also gentle and caring, and is quite a joy to behold for an actor better known for his stiff Shakespearian roles.  Yet I’m guessing the most impressive performance here is from Brit actor Eddie Redmayne as Colin, who falls for a legendary actress, and discovers the person within, at first star-struck, then totally captivated and understanding, to the point wanting to protect and save her.  Yet Marilyn was too big a star to ever really be saved, and therein lies the tragedy of the real person beneath the glitz and glamour.

Harry Potter’s Emily Watson is waisted however as a wardrobe girl, and the movie fails to truly explore Marilyn Monroe, her time on the movie being all too brief to capture who she really was.  Yet as a snapshot this small but enjoyable tale entertained and left me with an image of one of the world’s most famous actresses, unlike I had ever imagined.

Verdict:  4 /5

Apr 2 2012

Pretty Woman

Viewed – 01 April 2012  Blu-ray

For all the gory horror movies and violent gangster films I may watch, every now and then I sure can appreciate a chick flick … and as far as chick flicks go, this is one of the all time classics.  Julia Roberts, in her breakthrough performance (if you don’t count Mystic Pizza) stars as a hooker who gets picked up by hotshot business tycoon Richard Gere, who then pays her to spend the week with him.  Now this could have been a 9 and a half weeks style sleaze fest, but turns out to be a great example of the fish out of water, as Roberts finds herself thrown amongst the L.A. rich crowd and has to find a way of fitting in, and quick – usually with very funny and highly memorable results.

This is a movie that starts out like on thing, perhaps a sexy date movie, then turns into a really heart-warming love story about two people lost and lonely in their subsequent lives, who find escape in each others arms.  Awww.  Roberts is great and incredibly likable, whilst Gere proves more than his usually ladies man beds them all stereotype, with a surprising amount of depth.  Support from the likes of Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander (playing  seriously against type) and the always enjoyable Laura San Giacomo (Sex, Lies and Videotape) prove more than set dressing also.  Yet this is Roberts & Gere’s show and their chemistry is convincing and well observed.  Also for a movie about a prostitute, the story is mature enough not to gloss over the oldest profession of them all, and knows when to hit the viewer when necessary.  Add to this a great soundtrack (especially Roy Orbinson’s title track) with colourful direction and plenty of personality – this remains one of the defining movies of the era.

The Blu-ray, whilst not a complete let down does suffer from that eighties / early nineties soft-focus look, but still appears fairly vibrant, especially during out door daytime scenes.  Close-ups have a fair amount of detail too, but it is still clear the movie would benefit from a complete remastering.  Thankfully, the soundtrack is clear, the music jumps out of the speakers, and dialogue is clear throughout.  Extras-wise we get an audio commentary, a featurette, some footage from the movie’s wrap party, a music video and a trailer.  Not too shabby.

Verdict:

(the movie) 5 /5

(the blu-ray) 3 /5

Mar 28 2012

Annie Hall

Viewed – 28 March 2012  Blu-ray

I went through a phase in the nineties of being really into the films of Woody Allen, and none more so than this 1977 Oscar-winning relationship comedy.  Allen plays struggling stand-up comedienne Alvy Singer who through the movie narrates the on off romance he has with Annie (Diane Keaton), a carefree, happy-go-lucky nightclub singer who Alvy at times adores, is annoyed by, and also finds irresistible … and it’s not hard to see why.

The movie is not your straight forward boy-meets-girl love story however, but more a satirical look at a very believable relationship, through its ups and downs, break-ups, make-ups and everything in between.  For me it remains Woody Allen’s most perfectly written, cleverly played out and engrossing movie he’s made.  Some I think don’t always get Allen’s brand of angst-ridden, nervous humour, and although it’s rarely laugh-out-loud, it has a charm to it he’s carried throughout his career, which is one reason why he still manages to turn critics heads and get rave reviews to this day (Midnight In Paris, for example).  Here though he’s at his inventive best, offering to the camera anecdotes, inventive use of split-screen, animation and just plain clever-ass dialogue that references everything from Groucho Marx to the JFK assassination, and kept this viewer smiling.  Performances are also first class, especially from a captivating Keaton, who sparks brilliantly off Allen’s at times motor-mouthed, scatter-shot version of himself.  The movie has been cited as being semi-autobiographical, an easy thing to believe considering Keaton & Allen’s real-life relationship, that spawned a succesful on-screen partnership until they parted ways years later.

Annie Hall for me is the best movie ever made about a single relationship, and captures the complexity, the fun and the sadness just right.  One of my all-time favourite movies, and watching it again was like visiting an old friend.

This recently released Blu-ray from MGM however, is a disappointment.  The picture is serviceable at best (although this is a very natural looking movie so vivid colours and razor-sharp image quality was never going to happen) and the audio has some minor lip-sync issues if you’re paying close enough attention.  Thankfully there doesn’t seem any post-processing work done and grain looks intact.  Extra features?  If you call the theatrical trailer an extra feature, then sorry … that’s all you’re getting.  A shame considering this movie’s legacy – where’s the documentaries, the interviews?  Very poor indeed.

Verdict:

(the movie) 5 /5

(the blu-ray) 2 /5

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