Knives Out (2019) film review

Year: 2019
Running Time: 130 minutes
Director/Writer: Rian Johnson
Cast: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Christopher Plummer, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Katherine Langford, LaKeith Stanfield, Jaeden Martell, Riki Lindhome.

Knives Out is now showing in cinemas everywhere thanks to Studiocanal.

Rian Johnson's murderous affair, Knives Out is a return to the glory days of the whodunnit. With it's atmosphere of dread and intrigue combined with a spectacular cast who all deliver captivating performances, Knives Out is a reminder of how much fun cinema can really be when everything comes together with perfect timing.

Knives Out feels like Johnson's tribute to Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot stories. In particular, the film follows the formula of Murder on The Orient Express with it's grand cast and their intriguing and colourful characters, each with a motive for committing the cruellest of crimes. The location here, which is incredibly important in such a story as it needs to have just as much character as the humans, is the exquisite, atmospheric and often quirky Massachusetts manor of bestselling author, Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). After his untimely death following his 85th birthday party, private eye Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is called in to investigate his death. Even though the easiest conclusion to make about the cause of death is to rule suicide, Blanc believes that one of the family members has something to hide and that Thrombey's death is the result of creative foul play.

The film is a rare type of multi-layered mystery. It plays very much on the idea of things aren't always as they seem and even when you know that things aren't as they seem, how they aren't still remains a mystery. There is a certain level of predictability to Knives Out, but at the same time, it manages to be unpredictable from another angle.

However, it is Johnson's storytelling that is the keeps the film flowing and intrigue high despite whether it is predictable or not. The screenplay is airtight with extremely witty and entertaining dialogue. This characters are all unique and, despite the astounding situation, are relatable as far as personalities in big families go. No family gathering involving money and alcohol is ever a quiet event when there are clashing personalities the way there are in Knives Out. There is no doubt that in the film that Harlan's nurse, Marta (Ana de Armas) is perhaps the purest of souls and has the bad luck of being involved in situations beyond her control. The other characters have large personalities and have all been tainted by Harlan's money, which in turn has made them all dependant, greedy and, to an extent, bitter. Each has a motive to kill, but it is the journey of getting to know each of the characters and laughing at their qualities that makes Knives Out as fun as it is.

The stellar cast give their all when bringing these highly entertaining characters to life. Again, the film is very much like an Agatha Christie novel with Daniel Craig leading as the famous Benoit Blanc. He is indeed entertaining and full of life, but it is Ana de Armas as Marta who the film revolves around and she is such a gentle and endearing leading lady. She immediately earns the audience's love and respect, which is consistent throughout the film. Chris Evans gives new life to the stereotypical spoilt rich kid-adult as Ransom and, like any narcissistic character wishes to do, is the star of every scene he is in with his impeccable timing and enduring sarcasm. He is a fantastic presence in the film and undoubtedly an audience favourite. Michael Shannon, Jaime Lee Curtis and Toni Colette are all also extraordinary characters, who unfortunately don't receive as much screen time as the previously mentioned.

Knives Out brings back the lost art of making the murder mystery fun. With it's individual form of black comedy and host of brilliant characters, it is a film that transports you into a wild world of family turmoil that has never been so enjoyable.

8.5/10

Spectre (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 148 minutes
Director: Sam Mendes
Writers: Ian Fleming (characters), John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade (story and screenplay), Jez Butterworth (screenplay)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Monica Bellucci, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Rory Kinnear, Jesper Christensen

Spectre is now showing everywhere and is distributed in Australia by Sony Pictures.

With 24 films now making up the 007 catalogue, James Bond fans have been spoilt over the years with the variation of quality films to be featured within the realm. However, the variation of films has meant that many fans prefer a particular type of Bond film over another and Spectre is the type of Bond film that will appeal to some of his faithful more than others. As a stand alone film it is particularly well made, but unlike many of the past Bond film does require a pinch of knowledge of the past films with an unexpected link between films.

After James Bond (Daniel Craig) receives a message from beyond the grave following his last mission, he starts to believe that there may be a connection to a higher organisation, despite reservations from M (Ralph Fiennes) who is preoccupied and fighting the agency's own war in London. His suspicions turn out to be justified when he tracks down the underground organisation, but he never suspected the head of their organisation would be a direct link to his past and someone who still very much holds a grudge against him. To stop his long lost enemy, he must track him down before his followers find him and protect Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux) who he swore to protect.

Spectre is a Bond film that will delight some and infuriate others. In the past four Bond films where Daniel Craig has played the special agent, we have seen a James Bond that is more humanized than he has been in the past when portrayed by such favourites as Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Rather than be the mysterious, enigmatic Bond with a past that isn't discussed, Craig's Bond has been the one that has opened a chapter on finding out who really is the man behind the mystery. In Casino Royale, audiences were treated to an understanding of why he never could quite settle or calm down with women as the one true love of his life in Vesper Lynd was cruelly taken from him. In Spectre, the subject of his upbringing and his family is approached as never before. Therefore, Craig's Bond becomes more relatable and more human...which won't sit well with fans of the past James Bond. Missing from Spectre is also the abundance of fun gadgets and gizmos which Bond films had become known for. In Sam Mendes' film, there is the obvious inclusion of Q's (Ben Whishaw) improved Aston Martin and a watch which is really a secret weapon.

So it is these members of the fandom who appreciate the older Bond who will feel that Spectre has not paid a proper tribute to their beloved spy hero. Yet, there are also fans who have found that in the past decade, this Bond played by Craig has been the one they greater admire. Something that fans of the last four films will appreciate more than others is the way that Spectre answers questions regarding Bond's past and links up with Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall. With it's well-written screenplay, the film offers it's audience a sense of intrigue as to what really did happen in Bond's past as it is a personal journey for Bond. Although even this inclusion of learning more about Bond's family may be problematic to some, as these revelations almost appear out of nowhere when his family and past have only had miniscule mentions over the past fifty years of Bond. Yet, it is refreshing knowing more about 007.

However, Spectre is undeniably a very well made film. The opening scene, which takes place on the Day of the Dead in Mexico City, is incredibly impressive with a great air of intrigue and danger, exquisite travelling camera shots and wonderful costumes and music. One thing that no Bond fan will be disappointed with is the quality and quantity of action sequences. The special effects used in the highly intense scenes which involve combat or explosions are incredible and wonderfully designed. The production, set and art design is brilliant and costume design by Jany Temime perfect. "Writing's On The Wall", as sung by Sam Smith, is another great Bond theme song which fits the feeling of the film as the opening credits play.

Daniel Craig gives another solid performance as James Bond. It is perhaps not his most emotional of performances as the man and considering the subject of his family and childhood, should have gave a bit more. However, this would again be out of character for James Bond if he had become too emotional. Ralph Fiennes as the new M is very good and gives the character the strength and presence it deserves. Ben Whishaw is always quirky and intriguing as Q and Lea Seydoux gives an incredibly strong performance in her turn as a Bong girl. However, Christoph Waltz as a Bond villain does not hit the mark quite as powerfully as what he should. There is no denying that Waltz is very charismatic on screen, but the role does not seem so far removed from his previous villainous roles and does not come across as overly intimidating.

Spectre is a Bond film that will have it's admirers and critics depending on what type of Bond fan one is. A stunning film, but hard to judge it as a stand alone film when it has obvious links to previous Bond films.

7.5/10

The Adventures of Tintin

The Adventures of Tintin

Year: 2011

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

Before I begin my review…

                Happy New Year to all Movie Critical readers and followers! Thank you for all your support in the past year. You all mean so much to us here. Here’s to another year of great movie viewing and a very exciting awards season in the next two months!

                I admit it, I really should have gone and read some Tintin comics before going to see The Adventures of Tintin.  I am actually surprised that I hadn’t, all my friends and my husband have. It was right in my generation’s youth.

                I have a sneaking suspicion I would have enjoyed The Adventures of Tintin more if I had read the comics.  I would have understood more of what Tintin is all about. He is all about the solving the mystery while having an adventure in the meantime. However, the mysteries and adventures aren’t meant to be complex. Tintin is really about the nice guy being the hero and appealing to the younger generation. What more should you expect than what Steven Spielberg gives us?

Review

                The Adventures of Tintin is a beautiful piece of animation, but will only completely satisfy those true Tintin fans and kids on their holidays.

                Steven Spielberg has really done a great job visually of bringing Tintin and his adventures alive in the present. However, those who are not fans of Tintin or above the age of 12 will find not quite get the way the film pans out and will find the film slightly tedious.

                Tintin (Jamie Bell) starts the film buying a model of the ship, The Unicorn and is immediately thrown into a world of mystery. Mr Sakharine (Daniel Craig) robs Tintin of his new model ship and when Tintin starts snooping further into why his new ship is of such great importance, he kidnaps him and boards him on the ship to Morocco. Tintin teams up with the drunken Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis), the original captain of the ship who’s crew Sakharine has made turn against. Together, Tintin and Haddock, along with Tintin’s trusty dog, Snowy, find out the importance of The Unicorn and work against the evil Sakharine.

                The Adventures of Tintin is absolute heaven for those who are familiar with the comic. It has exactly what the comics have. There is action and adventure and Tintin is the good guy everyone remembers him as being. The important thing to remember is that Tintin was created for children, and this movie is very much for children. It is simple and the humour is clean and slapstick.

                However, if you are not familiar with the comic, you may find this movie a little too simple and almost tedious. There are periods where not much happens besides adventurous action and the scenes just seem useless in the grand scheme of the film. It is during these scenes that you wish Tintin would just hurry up and get to where he should be and figure it all out.

                One thing that people of all ages can agree on is that the animation is just brilliant. Tintin has come a long way from being a pencil sketch. The attention to detail is just incredible. The visuals are something to be marvelled at all throughout the film. The Adventures of Tintin is one of those animated films you are watching and then halfway through you forget you actually are watching an animated film and not a live action film.

                All the voice actors do a good job. Jamie Bell isn’t bad, but he is overshadowed by the ever versatile Andy Serkis. Serkis changes his persona once again and his voice is unrecognisable throughout the film. Daniel Craig is quite similar in that it is hard to pick his voice at times and he does the villainous voice well. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are perfectly fun as Thomson and Thompson.

                The Adventures of Tintin is one not to be missed by Tintin fans and a great film to take children to over the break, but people outside those two groups will probably think of better films to see at this point in time.

7/10

Cowboys And Aliens- The hybrid you never though you would see, but doesn't matter if you don't

Cowboys And Aliens

Year: 2011

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano

In My Own Words

                Genre hybridity. It makes all things possible.

I first learnt about genre hybridity, which in colloquial terms means when a film belongs in two sections at the DVD store, in the basics of film studies at university a couple of years ago. A classic could be a comedy or a drama, a drama could also be a thriller and a western could also be an action.

But a western being a hybrid with a sci-fi? That example was never in Film Studies 101!

The interesting thing about Cowboys and Aliens is that I truly believe it couldn’t have been made any time before the 21^st century. The special effects that were available before this period in time would not have been adequate to make this film anything but a B grade film. Could you just imagine John Wayne on his horse with a UFO on a string behind him?

The CGI available now to film makers who have the major bucks to use the top equipment makes this hybrid actually work. Sure it is not the most realistic concept, but when was a sci-fi ever realistic? You have to admit, the concept is kind of cool. This is probably the only time you will ever see western and sci-fi fanatics unite in the same theatre for something which a film which is right up both their alleys.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review

                Cowboys And Aliens? Many would have thought that Jon Favreau was headed for disaster just with a film concept like that, but hey, there’s no reason that aliens exist they didn’t do so in 1873 in a small town in Arizona!

Yet, pulling off a somewhat complicated genre collision doesn’t mean a great movie is created. Favreau obviously needs to be complimented for taking on such an adventurous project and pulling it off, but…..you can’t have any sort of a good action film with no suspense.

A cowboy (Daniel Craig) wakes up in the middle of the desert with no recollection of who he is or where he has been, but with a strange metal bracelet around his wrist. He stumbles into the small town of Absolution, which has trouble written over it. However, the trouble soon doesn’t just involve cowboys and outlaws and barmen. Absolution is being targeted from the night’s sky as well.

Cowboys And Aliens is a passable film. The pros and cons are equal with each other. The major pro is that the film is that visually the film is pretty amazing. The special effects are very well done and the western landscape and the town of Absolution are exquisite.

Another great thing about Cowboys And Aliens is that it stays true to both of its genres. There are the right signs there for a western such as the old western bar, shoot outs and the music that would accompany a western. And then there is obviously the signs of the sci-fi, which are aliens and advanced technology far beyond the comprehension of those who come to encounter it. It is a very successful meshing of genres.

However, the big downfalls of Cowboys And Aliens are that it is not suspenseful at all and the middle of the film is really quite tedious. It is very hard to remember what happened in the film between the initial attacks of the aliens and the finale. And if it is hard to remember, one can only conclude that it was boring and nothing really happened. As a result of this black hole, the film is just very slow and there is no urgency or suspense as to what will happen.That’s never a good thing to hear about a film.

Favreau cast his characters well. Each of the major actors is perfectly at home in a western. Daniel Craig pulls off the mysterious unidentified cowboy well. There isn’t too much emotion there in the moments it is warranted, but the majority of the time emotion is not really needed with his hard-front character. Harrison Ford is just a veteran of adventure films, so here he is in his element. Another hard fronted character which Ford really has no problem doing.

Cowboys And Aliens show that these days any genre hybrids are possible, but they don’t ensure a complete success as a film.

5/10