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Short Reviews #13 

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

Being the only soul on this earth NOT to have read the hugely successful novel and therefore give a book-to-film comparison piece of critique (you know you want it), I can give my two cents on the film itself. Hey at least you’ll get a fresh perspective right? :D In short, the movie is a clumsy mess with some flashy production design and camera work and one of the most boring Tom Skanks you’ll ever see on celluloid. There are times when Ron Howard steps up the suspense and maintains it for a while but anyone can figure out the twists and turns before there is any real payoff. So as a thriller, it’s mediocre but there are a few scenes of dialogue that raised my interest level a few times, especially when the Da Vinci Code itself is explained. The cast are functionary so there are no real performances that stick out although Paul Bettany’s character is definitely the most interesting. Kudos for casting Audrey Tautou and Jean Reno (two of my favourite French film stars) but even they couldn’t make much of the limiting material. Ron Howard recently defended the Cannes criticism, claiming the movie is primarily ‘a form of entertainment’ and if that is the case, you may finds bits and pieces here and there but ultimately, you’re going to walk away feeling like you’ve seen much better examples of the genre before.

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (2005)

Hands down one of the films of the year, Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is a concert film with a lot of heart and passion for music and bringing people of all walks of life together. You don’t have to be a fan of Chappelle or Hip-Hop to enjoy the film and I think both Chappelle and Michel Gondry knew that before making the documentary. Personally, I’m a big fan of Chappelle but not so much hip-hop, but walking out the theatre I had a new level of respect for it, particularly it’s social and political power. Don’t expect it to be all Chappelle and his brand of humour either. He tones it down somewhat but he’s still an incredibly likeable and charismatic presence the film needs in order to keeps things upbeat and moving along. The live performances from The Roots, Mos Def, Kayne West, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and of course the reformed Fugees with Lauryn Hill were all amazing. But it’s the interviews with people on the street and interested parties that makes the film so absorbing. This is a definite must-own DVD.

Red Eye (2005)

Stick two of the hottest young Hollywood thangs together on a plane trip that you just know is going turn disastrous with Hollywood’s most profitable horror director taking control and one might assume you’d buckle in for a thrilling, genuinely terrifying movie going experience. Well it’s wrong to assume anything these days, especially from Hollywood potential blockbusters (Hello Mission Impossible III or Poseidon?). The film starts out half decent but then in enters the routine, leading to a rather unsatisfying ending. Both Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy come out of this one unscathed though and bring all they can to a very pedestrian screenplay. Wes should really go back to his routes in horror and lose the post-Scream stylistic vision. He used to be able to really scare us but now it seems as if he’s conformed too much to the studio system of making horror. Such a shame.

Cursed (2005)

Wes Craven continues to showcase his uneven directorial skills with this complete disaster of a ‘horror film’. Aptly titled, Cursed is one of those Hollywod movie productions where the story behind its production is more interesting than the film itself. But it’s not the filmmakers fault in this case so I’ll give Wes the benefit of the doubt here. Over half the movie had to be re-shot and along with it, half the cast. This movie probably nearly killed Wes and his production team. I think just the thought of reuniting the original Scream collaborators writer Kevin Williamson and Wes would be enough for instant success and lots of money. Like I said before, it’s wrong to assume anything. Oh yeah, I forgot I was reviewing the film itself. Ummmmm it’s pretty terrible all the way through, there is next to no logic in the self-referential script and the werewolf transformations are executed in relatively cheap CGI fashion. Best to forget about this one and move right along.

Roger Dodger (2002)

I’m glad the Cinecast podcasters (now named Filmspotting) keep recommending Roger Dodger because I’ve only just seen it for the first time and I’m completely glad I did. An excellent script, solid direction from first-time filmmaker Dylan Kidd and a truly great performance from Campbell Scott. Scott plays a completely amoral, cynical, arrogant, intelligent individual who takes it upon himself to show his nephew (a very good Jesse Eisenberg) the ‘art’ of picking up women and ‘closing the deal’ per se. This isn’t exactly Swingers though. Heavily dramatic sprinkled with humorous moments, the film is likely to divide its audience due to the character of Roger. He’s almost unredeemable but you’re not going to find a more complex, three dimensional character than Roger. And Campbell Scott eats the material like candy. The film won director Dylan Kidd many awards in the festival circuit and it shows. He’s completely comfortable with the material and gives the film a look all of its own. If you haven’t seen this relatively unknown film and passed it by at the video store, pick it up and give it a go. I can’t say you’ll enjoy it but if you like your cinema from an ‘indie’ and character-based perspective, chances are you’ll find yourself appreciating it.