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Short Reviews #11 

Inside Man (2006)

Every good filmmaker should dabble in various genres. They’re not always going to succeed but that’s not what filmmaking is about – it’s about exploring new opportunities, challenging yourself and giving your own unique interpretation of the material (at least it is for me). This is Spike Lee in action blockbuster mode so you’re not going to get another Do The Right Thing. But it’s still a Spike Lee film you should see since he’s taken the heist genre and left his mark admirably. His choice of shots, the inclusion of modern popular technology and a better-than-average script, make this one of the more entertaining and intelligent action films of 2006. Performances are good but not great. Denzel is a sure thing here, Jodie Foster is fine but her character really adds nothing to the script so more time could have been spent on the Denzel/Clive Owen dynamic. Owen matches the Hollywood heavyweights despite being under a mask for most of the film. A few plot twists and turns to keep you guessing but ultimately, it’s nothing more than a well-made heist movie. It’s certainly not Dog Day Afternoon (obviously Lee’s inspiration) but it is a worthy contribution to the genre never-the-less.

The King of Comedy (1983)

A seldom-seen Scorsese film that I hadn’t even seen until a couple of weeks ago and like all of Scorsese’s best films, it has a knock-out performance from De Niro, a brilliant script and plenty of social commentary. Speaking of filmmakers exploring the genres! Scorsese shot this just after Raging Bull and if you’re going to get a comedy from Scorsese, this is exactly what you’d expect. It’s dark, twisted and all so mesmerising. And ‘they say’ comedy is one of the most difficult genres to tackle as a filmmaker so it’s just another example of how brilliant a filmmaker he is (James wipe the fanboy drool already). And when you see Jerry Lewis, you’re going to be blind-sided because he almost steals the whole movie! Not the Jerry Lewis you might have seen in the original The Nutty Professor. Some say it’s more a drama than a comedy but that will depend on your sense of humour. For me? A genius black comedy I will never tire of. P.S - Look fast for members of The Clash.

Explorers (1985)
(for first hour), overall

In television pop culture circles, ‘Jump The Shark‘ is the point where a TV Show goes to shit. The phrase actually came to light when in Happy Days, Fonzie actually jumped over a real shark while waterskiing and it was at that point, the Happy Days audience began seeing the wonderful world outside of their living rooms. Well Joe Dante’s 1983 film Explorers is a classic film example of that infamous saying. For the first hour, the film sits of the proud shelves of 80’s Spielberg childhood classics – a highly imaginative atmosphere, likable young characters and a general sense of wonder. Then it nosedives so badly you feel like going back in time and slapping the filmmakers senseless. But having read the story behind the production, it appears I should be slapping the studio executives (they fucked Dante big-time, taking the film away from him in the editing room and releasing it half-assed). A wonderful, magical score from Jerry Goldsmith and Ethan Hawke’s first film. Also stars a pre-Stand By Me River Phoenix.

Videodrome (1983)

Talk about reality TV going one-step too far! Strictly B-grade all the way but one of the best b-grade films you’ll ever see, an instant cult classic. David Cronenberg creates a very uncomfortable, darkly atmospheric experience best compared with the likes of David Lynch’s Blue Velvet. In fact, they would make a great double-feature screening (Hello the next Hoovy Loungeroom Film Festival?). It is such a shame though that it ‘Jumps The Shark’ at the 2/3 mark. Andy Warhol claimed this to be the ‘Clockwork Orange of the 80’s’. While I wouldn’t go that far, it’s still a must-see for anyone open to the experience. Deborah Harry was much better than I expected. James Woods is James Woods but perfectly cast as the lowly cable TV operator.

Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

Another director who is very good at switching between genres, Stephen Fears delves in the ’secret’ world of illegal immigrants living in London and the choices they must make to survive in Dirty Pretty Things. This is the film that made everyone in Tinstletown take notice of Chiwetel Ejiofor. A star making turn for the actor, even if it’s not particularly showy (most people will know him from his work in Serenity). Audrey Tatou also jumps bravely into her first English language film and shed’s all of her Amelie baggage to create a real, three-dimensional character. At first I thought this film was going to be a mystery, thriller but it’s more a politically charged drama and love story than anything else and surprisingly effective one at that. The ending is pitch perfect too. Highly recommended for those who might have missed it.