From the director of Ghost Protocol and The Incredibles comes a film which celebrates the fact that the future will depend on dreamers, inventors, artists; generally creative types. And I think that this should be applauded. However, for a film about the future and its endless possibilities, Tomorrowland shows a distinct lack of imagination. OK, so the future looks kinda cool, at least for the dozen people that seem to live there, but the execution of the film was just boring.
The Ipcress File has all the hallmarks of a great cold-war iron-curtain espionage thriller, except that it's set in London. Michael Caine is Harry Palmer, a counter espionage agent who is investigating the disappearance of some of the country's top scientists. The whole film has a tremendous ambience due to a terrific score by John Barry, sets by Ken Adam and a great washed-out look. Michael Caine is effortlessly brilliant; not the same cheeky character as The Italian Job but never-the-less someone who knows when to go against protocol to get results. Gordon Jackson is good as Palmer's partner as are both Nigel Green and Guy Doleman, Palmer's two superiors.
There are plenty of twists, though not so many to make the plot impregnable; my only issue was that when we found out what the Ipcress File was and what it involved, I didn't feel that it was explained WHY the perpetrators were doing what they were doing. For me that left the end of the film rather flat. Otherwise I was completely engrossed, and completely in love with John Barry's music. but, well, you know, that’s just, like, my opinion man.
I don't think making coffee has ever been so captivating.
Award-winning animated film telling the story of one man struggling to remember his part in the massacre of Palestinian refugees in Beirut in 1982. In the present day following a conversation with his friend about flashbacks, Ari has a flashback that night about his complicity in the notorious Sabra and Satila massacre. He then travels meeting old friends to piece together what his role had been. As the movie finishes, animation gives way to actual footage of the aftermath of the massacre.
Though it is an animated film, it is beautifully shot; there are many rich colours, and many inventive uses of the "camera". It is a very powerful story, about an event that I knew nothing about - I would have been 5 years old. However, it is the kind of film that makes you want to find out more. Very powerful and made with tremendous attention to detail, definitely worth checking out. I should really watch it again. But, well, you know, that’s just, like, my opinion, man.
I don’t think there is really much I can say about this movie, other than it probably would have been much better if it hadn’t taken itself seriously. Why would a film that tells this secret life of one of the most famous Presidents not do so with its tongue firmly in its cheek?
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the same guy who brought us Nightwatch (2006) and Wanted (2008) some parts do have some style, but these incidental scenes are the exception rather than the rule, and besides, they’re obviously CGI.
