Drive Angry 3D (2011)

Ah Nicolas Cage. You do love these blockbusters nowadays, don't you? Putting aside the fact that it doesn't look like he will return to Drama films anytime soon (much to my disappointment), Cage has always been an enigmatic lead that can light a screen on fire (sometimes literally). 'Drive Angry' is his first 3D film - but does Cage reach out of the screen and grab us or is he still thinking of the paycheck?

Patrick Lussier's film should be taken with a pinch of salt. As long as you don't go in expecting the emotional intensity of the 'Oscar' films, you'll be pleasantly surprised. What I like most about 'Drive Angry' is how unapologetic it is. This is a big, explosive, grindhouse 3D film. The plot is fairly mediocre but it doesn't matter. With a film like this all the audience wants to see is the special effects and action sequences.

And 'Drive Angry' has a plethora of both. The story follows John Milton ('Paradise Lost' reference possibly lost on the target audience), a criminal escaped from Hell who is after those who took his granddaughter and murdered her mother. The little girl has been taken by a satanic cult led by Jonah King (Billy Burke). Along the way Milton is joined by a standard 'hottie' (Amber Heard) and hunted down by a man named The Accountant (William Fichtner).

Cage plays everything relatively straight and sadly doesn't really 'lose his shit' at any point. The best performance from the film comes from Fichtner who reprises his cool but crazed role last seen in the tv series 'Prison Break'. I looked forward to the scenes involving him and I'm glad Lussier included him in most of the movie. 'Drive Angry' is quite graphic in parts but always in a comic way. And it's an 18 anyway so it's what you'd expect from the rating.

Obviously for a film shot in 3D, the effects work well. Still not quite convinced that 3D is 'the future' like so many people keep saying. Wearing glasses over glasses is not the most comfortable experience. Still like 'Tron Legacy', I felt the 3D wasn't over the top and didn't cloud my viewing.

'Drive Angry' doesn't break any new ground. Hell, it doesn't even make a dent in the pavement! But the primary purpose of going to the cinema has always been to be entertained. And it does exactly that.

Paul (2011)

I'm going to keep this review short and sweet, just like Greg Mottola's latest comedy 'Paul'. Dubbed as being 'from the producers of Hot Fuzz', this extraterrestrial adventure is the first time duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost haven't been directed by Edgar Wright. So without Wright at the helm, does this film take off or is it grounded from the start?

The premise of 'Paul' centres around a road trip with two friends Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost). These two nerds are on their way back from Comic-Con when they encounter the alien Paul, who has escaped from a government base. From here they come across all manner of interesting folk, while constantly being chased by FBI agent Lorenzo Zoil (Jason Bateman).

I found 'Paul' to be a very charming and amusing sci-fi comedy. Greg Mottola's style is imprinted throughout this movie. The comedy portions are very much in the same vein as his first smash 'Superbad'. Quite crude at times but not in a over-the-top way (cough recent Farrelly Brothers films). But then there's the other side to Mottola's direction which was seen in his last film, the much underrated 'Adventureland'. And this is where 'Paul' gets his heart.

It would have been very easy for us to despise the alien Paul. After all, he's loudmouthed, smokes and swears at every opportunity. But Mottola gives him a human emotion that allows us to connect with this unknown being. Pegg and Frost are hilarious as usual. Rogen seems like he was made to voice the character of Paul. The parody elements of the film add layers to its plot and a surprise cameo by Sigourney Weaver lifts this above the usual spoofs Hollywood so often churns out. This being a Mottola film, you can expect a whole host of appearances from Judd Apatow stablemates. Special mention has to be given to Kristen Wiig whose comic timing is second to none.

While 'Paul' doesn't break any new ground, it does provide plenty of entertainment value and a lot of laughs. The cast give strong comic performances and at times this feels very much like an Edgar Wright movie (never a bad thing). Mottola has recently been dubbed a director to watch and on this evidence, I'll be keeping a close eye on him.

True Grit (2011)

Tread carefully fellow film fans as we enter the harsh, vast plains of the land of remakes. This terrifying terrain is often considered a nightmarish world with moviegoers - filled with questionable plotholes and unnecessary treatments. You can imagine my scepticism when my two favourite filmmakers announced they were remaking a classic John Wayne Western. Should we continue the trail with the Coens or gallop back frantically in the direction we came?

The answer would be neither. We should stay exactly in this spot where we dismounted our horses. Let me explain what I'm talking about. The Coen's remake of 'True Grit' is a film neither rooted in the past, nor riding towards the future. It's a simple story which is given a very simple treatment. But when you have a top cast of actors and two of the most exciting directors of my generation at the helm - is simple playing it too safe? I'm afraid my answer would have to be yes but it's not a resounding response.

Firstly, let us begin with the plot for those unfamiliar. We catch up with Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) who is tending to her father's funeral arrangements after he was gunned down by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Mattie wants revenge and hires 'a man with true grit' - Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges). It is established early on that Cogburn is not a man who is merciless to those who fall on the other side of the law. A Texas ranger by the name of LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) is also on the trail of Chaney and joins forces with Cogburn and Mattie. However, along the way the Marshall and the Ranger have a disagreement and part ways. From here the film follows their trail towards capturing Tom Chaney and finally getting Mattie the justice she desperately craves.

While 'True Grit' does have its flaws, it also has many impressive qualities that lift it up from the doomed fate that has befallen so many remakes before it. These would be young actress Hailee Steinfeld, a beautiful musical score by Carter Burwell and stylish cinematography by Coen stablemate Roger Deakins. The breathtaking landscapes used in the movie allow certain scenes to come alive - watching Jeff Bridges sleeping under the stars has a strange tranquility to it.

Let me tell you the problem I have with 'True Grit' and believe me, it's a difficult one to admit. The Coens wanted to stay more faithful to the 1968 novel by Charles Portis, rather than the 1969 film by Henry Hathaway. When I first read this I thought it was very good news indeed. Rather than simply adapting the original film with a new cast, they would be giving it their own spin. Well here lies the problem. The Coens are playing it too safe here. And for a film about dangerous men and the Wild West, that's never a good thing. I own every single Coen Brothers movie on DVD. I've been a fan for many years and I know their films like the back of my hand. I'm also a fan of Jeff Bridges, he was fantastic in 'Crazy Heart' and 'Tron Legacy'. Add to this my love for Western films from the early 90s onwards and I think it's safe to assume I'll be bluntly honest with you.

'True Grit' is not a film that should have been safe, by any stretch of the imagination. As I watched the two hours unfold, I kept wishing for a sparkle of that Coen's magic. Just a glimmer even would have sufficed. I just couldn't find it, no matter how hard I looked. Even Bridges, who I admire very much only gave a 'good' performance here. The accent was slightly muffled at times which I found offputting. Damon was decent but not really given enough screen time, as was the case with Brolin. Steinfeld stole the show and I can't believe she's only 14 and able to outshine the heavyweights.

For me 'True Grit' felt like it was setting off on a trail that was always predetermined. There were no surprises along the way. I will say that the second half of the film is much better than the first but even this can't really be construed as a positive. As I watched 'True Grit', I was reminded of another film - James Mangold's 2007 remake of '3:10 to Yuma'. I felt this set out to achieve something more than what the Coens attempted to do here. Having said that, it is up for many nominations and I'm sure some of you reading this will disagree with my verdict. My advice - go see it and decide for yourself. At one point in the movie, Damon mentions that he will have to abandon the search as the trail has gone cold. Perhaps the Coens should have done the same.

Brighton Rock (2011)

'Brighton's on the move. She's not what she used to be. And you, whoever you think you are. It won't last. - I haven't even started'. So responds the main protagonist of Rowan Joffe's drama, adapted from the popular British novel by Graham Greene. Indeed, this film introduces us to Brighton in a time of change during the sixties. The youth are rising up and the backdrop of Brighton Pier serves as a battleground between the Mods and Rockers. As the waves crash against the shore, we must ask one simple question. Does 'Brighton Rock' sink or swim?

Director Rowan Joffe adapted this from the novel, as opposed to the 1947 film by John Boulting. As such I think it is unfair to draw too many comparisons between the two. Sure, lead character Pinkie Brown (Sam Riley) is less menacing than when Richard Attenborough played him. But what Riley does bring to the table is a sense of insecurity. Throughout the film Pinkie is plagued with doubts about who he can and can't trust. After a tricky encounter which results in him murdering a man, Pinkie must tie up any loose ends that connect him and his gang to this crime. The loose end in this case happens to be a young waitress by the name of Rose (Andrea Riseborough). From here they begin a whirlwind romance that is always destined to end in tragedy. The changes in Pinkie and Rose's life reflect the social changes that Brighton was facing at the time.

I think Joffe has done a brilliant job of adapting a book which many fans feel very strongly about. One of the best things about 'Brighton Rock' is the cinematography by John Mathieson. Rather than feeling drab and glum, the pier comes alive. This is particularly true in the nighttime scenes, which feel like the water is creating a devlish whisper of the crimes that were committed nearby. Riley does a decent job of portraying the inbalanced Pinkie, although I will agree that he struggles to convey the more aggressive aspects of his character's personality. The star of the film for me is Riseborough. She's been cropping up in a few British films over the past year (Never Let Me Go, Made in Dagenham). The character of Rose is complex as she falls hopelessly in love with Pinkie and represents the goodness buried deep inside of him. I was very impressed with the way she handled the performance and hope to see more from her in the future.

The supporting cast includes screen veterans Helen Mirren and John Hurt who are both exceptional in slightly limited roles. I studied the novel at school and have also done projects on the Brighton riots that occured in the sixties. I thought the film had a great sense of realism and for a brief moment, I was transported back to a time of great change. I imagine 'Brighton Rock' will fall under the radar given the fact that it hasn't garnered any nominations during awards season. Still, I felt this film was every bit as good as 'The King's Speech' and deserves to be seen by more than just fans of the novel. Brighton is indeed on the move but this is one film that will last the test of time.

The Fighter (2011)

Yesterday I had the privilege of finally getting to watch David O. Russell's sports drama 'The Fighter'. I emphasise finally as I must have watched the trailer for this film about 50 times (no word of a lie). And hey, of course I have since it's been attached to pretty much every big movie released so far this year. After all, we're only a few weeks away from the main event (Oscars). Still, part of me was worried that after building this film up in my head, I'd be knocked down by my own preconceptions. So is 'The Fighter' worth ringside seats?

'The Fighter' is definitely an actor's film. It's a towering tour-de-force of big names and rising stars including Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo. All of whom are fantastic throughout. But this fight belongs to Bale. His performance as Dicky Eklund is the finest I've seen this year and is worthy of mention alongside actors like Daniel Day-Lewis. And quite rightly, Bale has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor. I sincerely hope he wins.

The plot follows the true story of Micky 'Irish' Ward (Wahlberg), a boxer from Lowell, Massachusetts. He is managed by his mother Alice (Melissa Leo) and trained by his half-brother Dicky. During the course of the film, he develops a relationship with Charlene Fleming (Amy Adams). The film chronicles the troubles the family faces before the penultimate big title fight.

It's interesting that Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) is one of the producers as you can see some of his stylistic qualities in the HBO documentary sections of the film. This is shot on handheld camera and gives the movie a very raw feel. Similarly, the boxing sequences are shot as if you were watching them on a tv screen. All of this allows O. Russell to create a fluid, realistic vision of boxing.

'The Fighter' is less a film about boxing and more a film about family. Obviously the main theme of the movie is Micky's journey as a boxer. But the narrative mainly boils down to the relationship between him, Dicky and Alice. Luckily, these actors/actresses are of the highest quality and allow the film to flourish into something more than another generic sports biopic. Without Bale, this movie would only be an above average underdog tale. However, with him it is one of the finest pieces of cinema I've seen in a long time. Sure it's no 'Rocky' or 'Raging Bull'. But then it doesn't try to be. The film is as concerned with family and crack addiction, as it is with boxing.

A scene at the end shows the real life Micky Ward and Dicky Ecklund. Christ, I got shivers seeing Dicky talk as Christian Bale nailed the performance. I've always admired Bale as an actor but with this film he's really outdone himself. Wahlberg, Leo and Adams are also impressive but this is one of the few movies I've seen where the supporting actor steals the show. I urge you to go see 'The Fighter' and defy anyone not to cross their fingers for Micky Ward in that final match.