The Social Network (2010)

My initial reaction to this movie before it was released, and I am guessing I was not alone, was "how could you possibly make an engaging film about a website?" The trials and tribulations of facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg however make for one of the best films of the year under the direction of David Fincher, as the film never ceases to entertain and is wonderfully shot.

The script is excellent, with great dialogue and enough comic relief to counteract the overarching feeling of alienation experienced by the protagonist (a hero or villain, depending on how you look at it). Jesse Eisenberg is perfect in his portrayal as Zuckerberg, a character who in real life apparently across as equal parts charismatic and socially awkward. Justin Timberlake also stars as Shawn Fanning, Napster creator, who turns up halfway through the film to mentor Zuckerberg and his new found millions. While there are questions to be asked as to the historical accuracy, the film delivers consistent fun and, like all good movies, leaves the ultimate message open to audience interpretation.


Two thumbs up, an exceptional film about the dubious morality of people which importantly stands resolute if stripped of the context of facebook.

Away We Go (2009)

It is hard for me to present an objective review of this film, because I really did not 'get it'. Words often associated with this type of indie romantic comedy are 'charming' and 'sentimental', however I found it to be anything but. Many directors contrast normal and eccentric characters for comedic effect, however the two protaganists, a couple looking for a place to raise their children, came across as mundane and naive to the extent they were completely distant from the audience.

John Krasinski has been somewhat typecast in his role in the American Office as a loveable everyman. This fits him perfectly: provided the script is suitably tinged with comedy. Away We Go ultimately fails on this note, as it relies on subtle cringe and situation comedy (ironically that which made the Office such a success) which does not connect. The message of the film is also predictable, that throughout their trip the characters get to know themselves better with the other characters presenting obstacles in this introspective journey. This was neither convincing or interesting.

Two thumbs down, this type of film usually commands a neutral thumb rating almost by default, but 'Away We Go' left a lingering bad taste.

Gladiator (2000)

I will need to watch Traffic at some point, because how Joaquin Phoenix was beaten to the 2001 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor by Benecio Del Toro needs explaining. Phoenix has the audience seething with his portrayal of the bitter and twistedCommodus, who murdered and usurped his father to become Emperor of Rome and left Maximus (Russel Crowe) the decorated general for dead. The subsequent chronicling of Maximus' epic rise through the ranks from slave to gladiatorial hero makes one of Hollywood's finest ever movies.

Director Ridley Scott had a vision of Rome which he stopped at nothing to achieve. The scale of the movie is amazing, with landscape views across the city matched by the breathtaking battle scenes and the wonderful recreation of the Colloseum. Critics of the film have complained the story is predictable and the characters one dimensional. While the former is true (scarcely a criticism), the characters are conveyed with such powerful performances that after repeated viewings I find it impossible not to be stirred by the protagonist's desire to defeat the Emperor and be reunited with his family in the afterlife. This is without so much of a mention of the superlative soundtrack and the seamless use of CGI to finish Oliver Reed's performance after his untimely death.

Two thumbs up, an action film which is both beautiful and entertaining.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Quentin Tarantino's films are hit or miss in my opinion. Inglourious Basterds is Tarantino's take on the spaghetti western genre, however exchanging the 19th century American Frontier setting for occupied France during World War II. The result is a heavily stylised movie with sharp dialogue and accentuated characters - so far, so Tarantino.

Despite the two and half hours the film takes to reach its conclusion, I was consistently entertained throughout which is more than I can say for the shorter Kill Bill (both volumes) and Reservoir Dogs. Some critics have claimed that this is Tarantino's most indulgent work to date, but while some of the scenes are notably long the diversity of characters and ideas meant that each of the films 'chapters' had enough humour and suspense to uphold the momentum. The climax of the film in a Parisian cinema, coinciding with the eventual meeting of the two biggest Basterds in the film (Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz, both excellent), was a thoroughly entertaining way to conclude the movie and tie all of the threads together.

Two thumbs up, Tarantino's best film since Pulp Fiction.

Avatar (2009)

I know I'm late to the Avatar party, having missed the film in 3D at the cinema, but this evidently allowed me to view the film more objectively without all of the fanfare. James Cameron was responsible for two of the biggest and best blockbusters of the 90's in Titanic and Terminator 2, and it is fair to say that Avatar did not disappoint in this regard. The visuals and special effects in the film were brilliant (even in two dimensions), some of the landscapes of the planet Pandora looked photo realistic on Blu Ray.

The story was hardly original, and entirely predictable, but the fusion of sci fi and generic 'outsider' love story was engaging enough to last the two and half hours the film ran for. It would be hard to complain about the acting considering much of the film was conveyed through the blue humanoid Na'vi creatures, however even they displayed a convincing range of emotions compared to the lifeless CGI characters of the past. The character of the Colonel with a chip on his shoulder was tangible to a pantomime villain, however I suppose it worked to the extent that you sympathised with the alien creatures.

Two thumbs up, an entertaining, good film and a great spectacle.

The Hurt Locker (2008)

I had no idea what to expect with this film. It had arrived to universal critical acclaim, however it had a very mixed reception with punters many of whom said it was just boring. Having now watched it I can say I am right down the middle; it was a well made film with good performances from the three main characters and evidently well directed, but I fail to see how it merited the Best Picture Academy Award, one of six oscars that the film won.

I appreciate the suspense of some of the scenes, for example there is a long but intense sniper scene, and any film that is concerned with disarming bombs will have a few edge of seat moments. The lack of an engaging narrative however counts against it in my opinion, which is ironic considering the main story of sorts is about a guy who is slowly losing the plot. There are also far too many clichés in the film. Ultimately, the Hurt Locker was overrated. If I had not been expecting the best film of the past year I would probably have enjoyed it more, however I can think of several war films (Saving Private Ryan instantly springs to mind) which are simply far more entertaining, involving and have a more interesting story to complement the action.

One thumb up because some of the action set pieces were entertaining and well executed.