I would have to say that there are two distinct advantages to this version over the earlier Hitchcock version, and that is the sound quality and the print quality. They are the only two advantages.
The story was modernized in so far as updating from a new aeroplane engine to a rocket navigation system, and the introduction of a scooter half way through. Otherwise, seems being on the run in the 1950's was much like being on the run in the 30's, oh and Vaudeville was the same in both too.
So where did this miss? I think the delivery of Donat v's Moore and and Carroll v's Elg. Sure Tania Elg has a bonnie face, but I didn't see her fall in love with Moore's Hannay. Hitch played the comedy a little heavier, but that was fine, the film benefited from it.
The scene in the hotel room played almost blow for blow with the original, but there is that touching scene where Madeline gave him the blanket, and then stole it back that was missing.
This was actually the first incarnation of this story that I encountered, and I very much enjoyed it back in the 80's. I later came to know and love the older version, and have enjoyed the much straighter, and truer to the book, 1970's version with Robert Powell as the lead.
I am looking forward to seeing the 2008 and 2011 versions.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Green For Danger
Trevor Howard and Alistair Sim, when you put those two names together you just have to watch.
And guess what, both delivered on the promise. Howard being terribly British in times of crisis, and a pillar of society, whilst Sim delivered his usual whimsical charm and charisma. Trouble is, this is not quite what you want from a seemingly straight murder mystery. The mystery was good, playing on war time sentiment and twisting all the way to the end. The comic relief didn't sit well though. It was too "Ealing" for the rest of the film.
Go ahead and watch it, it's not terrible, but not the best it could have been.
And guess what, both delivered on the promise. Howard being terribly British in times of crisis, and a pillar of society, whilst Sim delivered his usual whimsical charm and charisma. Trouble is, this is not quite what you want from a seemingly straight murder mystery. The mystery was good, playing on war time sentiment and twisting all the way to the end. The comic relief didn't sit well though. It was too "Ealing" for the rest of the film.
Go ahead and watch it, it's not terrible, but not the best it could have been.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
True Grit
Let me qualify this post by stating that if I did see the original, then I saw it as a kid 30 years ago, and do not remember it at all.
The first thing that surprised me about this film was that it was by Joel and Ethan. Everyone had been harping on so much about how classics don't need to be remade, no one bothered to mention who was to blame this time. As much as I love Fargo, O Brother, Hudsucker et al, I must admit that "The Ladykillers" was both a Coen bros and a bad remake.
This was a good film. I'd land it alongside Unforgiven which I see as an excellent modern cow boy film. This version of True Grit, is more lively paced than "The Assasination of Jesse James...", but shares many of the great qualities of that film.
Maybe I'm thick, but Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon were unrecognizable in this film, it almost was like having a cast of unknows, so I wasn't comparing performances to their earlier roles.
The first thing that surprised me about this film was that it was by Joel and Ethan. Everyone had been harping on so much about how classics don't need to be remade, no one bothered to mention who was to blame this time. As much as I love Fargo, O Brother, Hudsucker et al, I must admit that "The Ladykillers" was both a Coen bros and a bad remake.
This was a good film. I'd land it alongside Unforgiven which I see as an excellent modern cow boy film. This version of True Grit, is more lively paced than "The Assasination of Jesse James...", but shares many of the great qualities of that film.
Maybe I'm thick, but Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon were unrecognizable in this film, it almost was like having a cast of unknows, so I wasn't comparing performances to their earlier roles.
Hailee Steinfeld was good. I was worried that either they'd get a 20 something to try and play a 14 year old, or they'd get a 16 year old who wasn't a polished actress. Like Besson's success with Natalie Portman in Leon, the Coes Bros found a great young talent here, at only 14.
I'm sure fans of traditional westerns would not care for this, all the characters have very human failings, but there is a happy ending in this one.
rated D/A/M/N
The Kings Speech
What a delightful film. I've been seeing quite a few biopics of royalty of late, and this one is the most charming of them I've seen, the other notable one being "Young Victoria".
It is always a treat to Helena Boneham Carter, and in this she brought a wonderful lightness to Queen Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother that is). This film spans the same period as the miniseries "Edward and Mrs Simpson" which took up the story of Edward and his relationship with the America Divorce. Worth checking out, a young Edward Fox, amongst others.
The whole affair, though a lot of serious tragedy is involved, is a typically light British film. The characters, not lovable, are at least easy to identify with. You feel pity for 'Bertie, you start wishing Elizabeth were an aunt or some such in your family.
I wasn't sure what to think of Timothy Spall as Churchill. Spall is, in my opinion, a much underused actor on the silver screen, though he is very active on British TV. Still, he filled the role well; though it was only a minor character in the film, it is one that everyone knows, and will heavily criticize if done wrong.
Overall a fun film, though I'm not sure how well it will be received amongst royalists as it shows a perceived weakness in someone traditionally regarded as a great leader in war time. Personally I believe it shows him as stronger, overcoming the issues.
Rated D/A/N
The Black Swan
I know, you've all seen this now, and you all believe it deserved the Oscar(s). I just saw the modified for airline version of this, lesser sex scene I believe, not sure about violence though, that all seemed to be there.
This is a dark tale of someone taking pride in the craft to excess. It's a tale of a young womans decline into insanity as the pressures of her lead role in the ballet, and her mothers vicarious need to succeed.
Without spoilers I'd have to say
1) beautiful cinematography
2) too many bleeding finger scenes for me
3) felt like an early 70's psycho thriller
I'm not sure it covered new ground, but it's fun seeing Portman act again, after Lucas disgusting waste of her talents.
rated M/K/N
This is a dark tale of someone taking pride in the craft to excess. It's a tale of a young womans decline into insanity as the pressures of her lead role in the ballet, and her mothers vicarious need to succeed.
Without spoilers I'd have to say
1) beautiful cinematography
2) too many bleeding finger scenes for me
3) felt like an early 70's psycho thriller
I'm not sure it covered new ground, but it's fun seeing Portman act again, after Lucas disgusting waste of her talents.
rated M/K/N
Les aventures extraordinaires d'Adèle Blanc-Sec
"The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele BlancpSec" is the latest Luc Besson film. Besson has lately turned to writing, handing off direction to others, for example the successful "Transplorter" and "Banlieu-13" franchises. However, here he has returned to the role of writer/director which he has not done since "Angel-A".
When we look at his great films of the past, "Leon - the Professional", "Angel-A" and to some degree "The Fifth Element" we start to expect an action comedy romance. Of course others of his followers would say "La Femme Nikita", "Danny the Dog", "Le Dernier Combat" do not fall into that line at all.
Adele Blanc-Sec is a sad and layered story of an Edwardian almost Lara Croft.character, a female Indian Jones if you will permit, in a story of magic and mummies which, though following a very different story, has all the charm and elegance of "The Professors Daughter".
Though a pterosaur in Paris seems quite out of place, and the CG of the mummies is a little stiff ( but then, are they not stiff?) this is a fun and enjoyable little adventure. Don't go looking for any earth shattering revelations about humanity.
Rated D/A
When we look at his great films of the past, "Leon - the Professional", "Angel-A" and to some degree "The Fifth Element" we start to expect an action comedy romance. Of course others of his followers would say "La Femme Nikita", "Danny the Dog", "Le Dernier Combat" do not fall into that line at all.
Adele Blanc-Sec is a sad and layered story of an Edwardian almost Lara Croft.character, a female Indian Jones if you will permit, in a story of magic and mummies which, though following a very different story, has all the charm and elegance of "The Professors Daughter".
Though a pterosaur in Paris seems quite out of place, and the CG of the mummies is a little stiff ( but then, are they not stiff?) this is a fun and enjoyable little adventure. Don't go looking for any earth shattering revelations about humanity.
Rated D/A
Cyrano Agency
This was an unexpected treat on our last outbound trip to Asia. I passed on it, who wants to see another "rom-com"? Mike suggested it half way through the flight, so I decided to have a look see.
So imagine "Roxanne" meets "Mission Impossible" (the old TV series) in a Korean rom-com. That puts you pretty close, you end up with a film on a par with say Il Postino.
Plot summary, out of work acting troupe use their skills to help lovelorn singles woo and win the one they want with carefully scripted dialogues, poses, and costume. Of course there is always a conflict of interest, in this case the director of the troupe has to help someone woo his ex.
rated D/A/M
So imagine "Roxanne" meets "Mission Impossible" (the old TV series) in a Korean rom-com. That puts you pretty close, you end up with a film on a par with say Il Postino.
Plot summary, out of work acting troupe use their skills to help lovelorn singles woo and win the one they want with carefully scripted dialogues, poses, and costume. Of course there is always a conflict of interest, in this case the director of the troupe has to help someone woo his ex.
rated D/A/M
Micmacs
"Micmacs à tire-larigot" is a film of revenge. That said, this is a light an fluffy film of revenge. Bazil, our hero, has a grudge against two arms manufacturers in Paris, one made the land mine that killed his father, the other made the bullet, that by a freak accident got lodged in Bazils brain.
Bazil falls in with a group of outsiders, living on the fringe of Parisian society. With their street performer and scrap salvaging skills they manage to topple two powerful empires.
This film is more on a par with Amelie, rather than City Of Lost Children or Delicatessen, which I believe makes it open to a larger audience, though the entire length of the film is toonish and circus like, so I believe it's not for everyone.
rated D/M/A
Bazil falls in with a group of outsiders, living on the fringe of Parisian society. With their street performer and scrap salvaging skills they manage to topple two powerful empires.
This film is more on a par with Amelie, rather than City Of Lost Children or Delicatessen, which I believe makes it open to a larger audience, though the entire length of the film is toonish and circus like, so I believe it's not for everyone.
rated D/M/A
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