Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom
Year: 2010
Director: David Michod
Cast: James Frecheville, Guy Pearce, Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Jacki Weaver

In My Own Words
I just have to say how proud I am to be a movie critic and have the opportunity to review so many Australian films this year. Not only do I get to review them, but I get to tell everyone how wonderful they are! And I am not the only one saying so. “Animal Kingdom”, which is my latest review, premiered at Sundance 2010 and showed the world what the Australian film industry can do by winning the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema- Dramatic category. “Animal Kingdom” is a brilliant piece of work. Not for the faint hearted, as people would expect from hearing the subject matter, but still a film that has to be seen. Australian viewers, don’t be fooled, this film is not an “Underbelly” rip off.

Just a side note, it still amazes me how some people can leave their manners at the front door when going to the movies. I know people normally see groups of teenagers as being the main offenders of this, but I find grown adults to be just as bad times. During this film, a lady’s phone went off three times before she realised she should turn it off. Turning off my mobile has become like a ritual for me as soon as I buy my ticket and so many cinemas place a clever advertisement in the preview about turning your mobile off for the sake of others, but some people still just don’t get it. I find more and more people talking throughout films now too, or maybe I just go to too many films so it seems like there is more people falling into this category. All I’m saying is, where has cinema etiquette gone?

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
“Animal Kingdom” is one of the best Australian films to be released in a long time. Not only this, it is perhaps the best crime drama released this year thus far. A film with outstanding characters brought to life by fantastic acting and an extremely well written script by director and writer, David Michod. Joshua Cody(James Frecheville) goes to live with his grandmother (Jacki Weaver) and his uncles after the death of his mother from a heroin overdose. Although this may seem like a better situation, his uncles are a group of armed robbers who the police are always out to get. As the police get closer and more family deaths occur, life gets more and more complicated for Josh. However, blood runs thicker than water.

What an amazing story and script. “Animal Kingdom” has so many twists and turns that it becomes clear sooner rather than later that things will never turn out the way you think. It is so easy to become emotionally involved in this film with the way the characters are constructed. Although not as hard-hitting as it may have been ( but in no way is it a subtle or easy to watch film), there are many shocks and suspenseful scenes. There is a lack of violent scenes which is interesting. There is violence spoken of and hinted, but no gruesome scenes. Just the hint of blood here and there. Quite interesting for a crime drama. The soundtrack is absolutely superb in the way in which it enhances the emotion of each scene. The opening title sequence is accompanies by music, sounds and also images that create an uneasy air and almost a feeling of evil. This is completely turned around a few scenes after when the family leaves a restaurant in fits of laughter and smiles and the soundtrack has the ability to make the audience see how much the family love each other and even though they are involved in crime, they are just like any other family when they have a good time together. Such an accomplishment in film making.

Unlike many other crime dramas, this film focuses more of the interrelations of the family and those around them rather than the actual crimes they commit. The characterisation is absolutely outstanding. The audience feels an attachment to each of the main characters and shares everything with them. It is a great tribute to a film when the audience feels every emotion with the character and can feel as if they know them personally. In his debut and breakthrough film role, James Frecheville is the lead as Joshua Cody. His performance at the beginning seems a little dry, but it is soon realised that that is all part of his character and he definitely proves himself as an actor as the film goes on. Jacki Weaver is outstanding here. Her role as the optimistic Cody mother and grandmother, Janine has many dimensions. She can be so annoying in her optimism, superficiality and overbearing love for her sons that she is just brilliant. Ben Mendelsohn as Andre “Pope” Cody is extremely creepy and evil, and is easily hated throughout the film by the audience, but he is absolute pleasure to watch. Sullivan Stapleton is also a standout in his role as Craig Cody, as is Joel Edgerton as Barry Brown.

“Animal Kingdom” is a film that must be seen. It is an accomplishment in film making and contains all the factors necessarily to make a successful and well done film. Disturbing, but beautifully so.
8.5/10

El secreto de sus ojos (The Secret In Their Eyes)

El secreto de sus ojos (The Secret In Their Eyes)
Year: 2009
Director: Juan Jose Campanella
Cast: Ricardo Darin, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Guillermo Francella, Javier Godino

In My Own Words
Finally the wait is over for Australian filmgoers, as we finally get to see the 2010 Academy Award’s Best Foreign Language Film in cinemas! “The Secret In Their Eyes” was not the favourite to take home the award, but it is extremely easy to see why it did. It is a brilliantly made film with an incredible story. So many movies lack a good, solid story these days and seeing one with a great story makes me want to stand up and cheer at the end of the movie.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
“El secreto de sus ojos” (The Secret In Their Eyes) is a winner. A winner in many ways. Of course it won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film earlier this year, but it has a winning script, winning cinematography and winning characters. How can you go wrong with a combination like that? There is so much praise to be sung about this film. It is a great thriller with more of a “How is it going to end?” type of suspense, rather than a “Who did it?” suspense. Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darin) is a retired federal justice agent, who has written a novel based on a case he investigated nearly 30 years ago in which a young woman was raped and murdered. It is a case he can’t let go of for how emotionally attached he became to all the people involved. We are taken back in time to relive the case investigation with Esposito, and then forward again to 1999 where Esposito is looking to find the perfect way to wrap up his novel.

Although originally a bit dragging, leaving the cinema after seeing this film feels like getting off a rollercoaster. There is very little action in the film, but “The Secret In Their Eyes” has an absolute powerhouse of an ending. The story and script is perfectly written with quick witted dialogue which will even draw a few giggles throughout. Don’t be fooled though, this isn’t a film for the light hearted. There are many gruelling images and topics that will pull at people’s hearts. It is a treat to see a thriller/mystery film which is unpredictable and original. What makes this film so original is that it is a thriller that also looks at friendship and the passions in lie rather than just the subject at hand. Another extremely strong point of this film is the cinematography. The photography is absolutely amazing throughout with some beautiful, breathtaking images. The way in which some of the most important scenes in the movie are filmed is also very impressive. The choice of camera angles and effects enhance the meaning of each scene and as a result are able to give the greatest feeling of emotion and understanding on the audience. Director Juan Jose Campanella does a marvellous job with the direction of this film and takes every opportunity to push the boundaries.

The characterisation is also very well done in “The Secret In Their Eyes”. It contains some very strong characters and ones which people will like or dislike immensely. Ricardo Darin does a fine job at leading the film. It seems like his acting gathers strength throughout the film, as he performs better in the second half of the film than he does the first. Soledad Villamal also does very well as the Esposito’s business colleague and would-be love interest, Irene Menendez Hastings. She gives a strong performance of a strong female character. The chemistry between these two characters is quite sweet in parts and you can feel in their first scene together how much they enjoy each other’s company, but it is not a particularly strong bond. The audience remains indifferent as to whether these two will be together or not, and it does not feel as important to the story as what Campanella would like it to be. However, the friendship between Esposito and his drunken friend, Pablo Sandoval, played by Guillermo Francella, is much stronger. Francella gives a great performance in which he is able to produce humour and inspiration. An unlikely combination, but one which really works on screen. Javier Godino is also commendable with his change in character in the few scenes he is in.

“El secreto de sus ojos” (The Secret In Their Eyes)is deserving of all the praise it has received and is indeed deserving of its highest honour in its Academy Award. Unfortunately, people who do not enjoy reading subtitles may not find this film to be as riveting as others may. Non-fans of subtitles may find the first half a little too monotonous for them, but make it to the second half and they will be rewarded. Stand up and take a bow Argentina!
8/10

Sex And The City 2

Sex And The City 2
Year: 2010
Director: Michael Patrick King
Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall

In My Own Words
I am a big “Sex And The City” fan from way back. I’ve always believed that there is so much more to the television series than what people take at face value. In one of my first year English subjects, I wrote an essay about what “Sex And The City” really represents. I believe that Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are all extremes of a woman’s personality, which is one of the reasons why the show was so popular among women. Women always saw themselves in these characters and in their situations, hence the attraction to the show. I always heard people say “Oh these “Sex And The City” girls are so promiscuous” (that’s a nicer word for what they really said), but the situations the girls got themselves in were not meant to be taken literally. The situations are representations of basically everything that can happen while a girl is single, dating or married. I know for a fact that I watched many episodes and it was like déjà vu at times. The other attractions of “Sex And The City”? The fashion and New York obviously! The place where dreams are made in clothes which the majority of us can only dream of owning!

When the lights went down, I got a tingle of excitement knowing that I would be seeing my favourite four girls on the screen again. That excitement eventually turned to boredom. I know I have said it before, but some sequels just do not need to be made. Unfortunately, this is one of them. I was highly anticipating this sequel, but I was also anticipating it to be a dud. Such a shame considering “Sex And The City” is one of my all-time favourite television shows. For once, what I anticipated was correct. What a dud. Nothing new, everything, with the exception of Abu Dhabi, has been seen before in the series. When thinking of “Sex And The City” in the future, I think I will be trying to disregard this film and imagining that it all finished after the first film.

These are my own words and here is my review.

Review
The “Sex And The City 2” poster reads “Carrie On” when it should say “Carrie On....And On....And On...And On”. That is the way the “Sex And The City” phenomenon seems to be going thanks to director, Michael Patrick King. Did he really want to make a sequel to a TV show’s first film, or did he just see an opportunity to keep the franchise going and pull in more money? No doubt it will make the money, as it already has, but fans will be severely disappointed. The movie itself seems to go on...and on...and on, exactly like the franchise. It is way too long for a film where not much really happens and everything which does happen has already happened in “Sex And The City”. The film picks up 2 years after the last film finished, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is still married to Big (Chris Noth), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is still married to Steve (David Eigenberg), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) is still married to Harry (Evan Handler) and Samantha (Kim Cattrall) is still prowling the town as a single woman. They all still have their own problems in the relationships, and when Samantha suggests a trip to Abu Dhabi all catered for, they jump at the chance. Abu Dhabi brings new luxuries, but also new problems for the girls.

Most television shows that are made into movies are accused of being just like three episodes back to back, and this is no exception. There is no firm plot and what plot there is, is extremely weak. The 140 minute length of the film is way too long for a film where not much happens. Like the television series, there are some situations the foursome find themselves in where female members of the audience will again find themselves relating to, and this is what will save the film for many audience members. The script is also very weak. There are some moments which will provoke a giggle and others that are just annoying as they are so obviously supposed to be funny and just not. The film itself just seems too over the top, predictable and unrealistic at times. While we are supposed to sigh and be in awe at the sight of the Abu Dhabi hotel, we roll our eyes instead. Sure there are some amazing views of both Abu Dhabi and New York (a lot less of New York than we would like to see), but even the fashion isn’t as breathtaking as what it should be. This will perhaps be the biggest let down to the fashionistas out there.

As for the acting, Kristin Davis is by far the best out of the four. She still has what it takes to keep the adorable Charlotte adorable and real. And what makes the most difference, is that she still keeps the character real. Charlotte is the only character in the film who has seemed to keep evolving, although her situation with her children does seem to mirror Miranda’s situation with Brady in earlier times. Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda is extremely annoying at times, a far cry for the Miranda we used to know and love. Her character also has the least amount of film time. Kim Cattrall’s Samantha is the same old Samantha. Still cracking the same jokes, which are still as amusing as ever. Sarah Jessica Parker, as she once was in the series, is guilty of over-acting , but she is forgiven as that was always what Carrie was all about. Carrie is perhaps the least likable she ever has been in this film. At times you want to just slap her across the face for being so stupid, but is that just another representation of a female quality? Do we all want to just slap ourselves across the face at times? Or has Carrie Bradshaw just taken her last bow?

In situations such as this, one would normally say that “Sex And The City 2” is only for die-hard fans of the show. However, this is not the case. Fans will be disappointed at the lack of emotion, silliness and over-exaggeration of the film. There is still some fun to be had, but nothing like the television show or the first movie. People who did not like the show should avoid this film at all costs. As a stand alone film it fails miserably. As a sequel, it just fails. The best part of the film comes in the first 10 minutes and may be the sole reason for watching “Sex And The City 2”, Liza Minnelli doing “Single Ladies”. She’s still got it!
3.5/10