High Crimes

Tags

2000's, Adam Scott, Amanda Peet, Ashley Judd, Bruce Davison, Carl Franklin, High Crimes, Jim Caviezel, Juan Carlos Hernandez, Legal Thriller, Morgan Freeman, Thriller

Film Title

High Crimes

Director

Carl Franklin

Starring

• Ashley Judd as Claire Kubick
• Morgan Freeman as Charlie Grimes
• Jim Caviezel as Tom Kubick/Ronald Chapman
• Adam Scott as First Lieutenant Terence Embry
• Amanda Peet as Jackie
• Juan Carlos Hernandez as Major James Hernandez
• Bruce Davison as Brigadier General Bill Marks

A legal thriller that was somewhat underrated and written off upon release, High Crimes is actually an efficiently made movie. It ain’t going to win any Oscars for originality or fresh ideas, but it more than does the job of being a gripping thriller nonetheless.

Claire Kubick is a successful attorney in a loving marriage with her woodworker husband Tom. The great life they live together in California is shattered when Tom is captured by the FBI while the two are out Christmas shopping and charged with the murder of nine peasants in an El Salvador village years before. It transpires that Tom is not who he says he is; his real name is Ronald Chapman and he was part of a secret Marine Corps operation. He has been on the run for over twelve years and is now being accused of the savage murders. Claire is shocked by the revelation that her husband has hidden from her, but because she loves him so much deals with the emotions that come her way by suppressing them. Her husband tells her that he was present in El Salvador, but strongly denies any involvement. He says that he has been set up for the crimes by his Major James Hernandez, who is now working highly with a brigadier general. Trusting her husband and wanting to help, Claire decides to defend her husband during the military trial, as the man appointed to represent him , First Lieutenant Terence Embry, is impressionable and new on the job. Yet when the trial begins, Claire realises that none of the rules that she usually abides to and works with apply in a military court. She then seeks out someone who knows their way around the court and comes across Charlie Grimes; a former military lawyer who is now retired and prone to drinking a lot. The tenacious Claire manages to get Charlie on side and help her husband in the trial; Charlie displays an aptitude for not playing by the rules and cutting through lies given by supposed witnesses. Yet twists and turns abound as evidence of a possible military cover up come to Claire’s knowledge and as she edges towards answers, risks her life in the process. Aided by the brilliant but not by the book Charlie, Claire is determined to get to the bottom of this no matter what happens. But is everything as it seems or very different to what meets the eye?

Carl Franklin’s direction of High Crimes is crisp and very well done. It’s not the best directing I’ve ever seen, but it does the job with a sense of urgency and commitment to the material in hand. Tossing in red herrings throughout the movie, Franklin knows how to keep a thriller entertaining and engaging. Granted some of the twists are a bit drawn out and overly complex, High Crimes manages to retain interest due to some sharp writing and thrills. I’ve read some reviews of High Crimes that say it becomes incomprehensible and predictable throughout. I wouldn’t agree with the first part because the film is supposed to be shrouded in mystery and wrong foot the audience occasionally. A few parts of High Crimes are predictable, but its a hell of a lot better than some of the other thrillers to be found out there due to the way it keeps you on edge trying to distinguish the truth. Some of the courtroom scenes are very well-played with lies spilling out and questions going back and forth creating a lot of tension. A technique that was utilized excellently was the presence of flashbacks from differing points of view, designed to spin a web of doubt and accountability. It’s only employed in a few scenes during the film, but it is effectively used and not overly relied upon. The musical score is a little generic in parts, but a competent enough one to go with the tense material on display here.

Ashley Judd turns in a typically strong performance as the determined Claire, who stifles her shock to defend her husband and unearth the possible cover up of events. Judd makes the character tenacious, unwavering and natural as she navigates through dangerous waters. She shares a great chemistry with Morgan Freeman, as both worked well together in Kiss the Girls. Morgan Freeman displays a dry sense of humour and serious undertones as the rebellious Charlie, who loves anything to get one up on the military and can run rings around them with his silver-tongued responses. With a glint in his eye and a sense of morality, despite his unorthodox ways of getting information, the character of Charlie is brought to life by the talents of Morgan Freeman. Jim Caviezel displays a sensitivity but an enigmatic presence as the man on trial, its credit to him that we are constantly on a seesaw about whether he is lying or telling the truth. Adam Scott impresses as the green lieutenant assigned to defend the man on trial and has some amusing moments due to the character’s lack of experience and sometimes naive tendencies. The same can be said of Amanda Peet who is delightfully irresponsible as Claire’s slobby sister who comes to stay and delights in being outrageous. Juan Carlos Hernandez, armed with a sinister smile and battle-ruined eye, is well cast as the menacing Major who may have been the perpetrator of the massacre in El Salvador. There is a small appearance from Bruce Davison as a smarmy brigadier, but I would have liked to have seen more of his character if I’m honest.

It doesn’t break any new ground and may get a little convoluted, but for a slick and entertaining thriller, High Crimes more than does the job.

X-Men

Tags

2000's, Action, Anna Paquin, Bruce Davison, Bryan Singer, Famke Janssen, Fantasy, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Ray Park, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Tyler Mane, X-Men

Film Title

X-Men

Director

Bryan Singer

Starring

• Patrick Stewart as Professor X
• Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine
• Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
• Famke Janssen as Jean Grey
• James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm
• Anna Paquin as Marie/Rogue
• Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique
• Tyler Mane as Sabretooth
• Bruce Davison as Senator Kelly
• Ray Park as Toad

Based on the iconic comics and boasting some stunning effects, X-Men is often considered the film that helped reboot the superhero film genre in 2000 after a number of underwhelming efforts in the 90’s. Strong on both characters and action, X-Men is that rare thing: an action movie with an intelligent and interesting subtext of intolerance.

In the not too distant future, many humans have evolved into mutants, who possess unique powers. In a world of prejudice and fear, many of these mutants have been met with hostility by others. The film begins at a summit in which political figures are discussing the possibility of a “Mutant Registration Act” which would make all mutant declare their powers publicly. The leader of this is Senator Kelly, who has a deep fear of mutants. Present at the summit are Professor Charles Xavier, a highly powerful telepathic mutant and his old friend and now enemy, Magneto, who has the power to control electromagnetic fields to dangerous effects. Although enemies, they still have a certain amount of respect for one another. They discuss the idea of mutant co-existing with humans, but Magneto warns of the danger and hints at how he will take his plans into action.  Meanwhile, a young girl known as Rogue has run away from home after discovering she has the power to drain others of their energy, thus rendering physical contact almost impossible. Along the way she meets Logan, also known as Wolverine, who has rapid healing power and has claws that emerge from his knuckles when he is angry. After giving her a ride, they are attacked by one of Magneto’s henchman Sabretooth. Lucky for them, they are rescued by Storm and Cyclops. Taken to Xavier’s school for the gifted, they are provided with a safe haven from the prejudice of the outside world. Professor X watches over the school and attempts to educate the children who come there that they are gifted rather than evil or sick as the outside world has branded them. Other mutants include Jean Gray, a doctor with telekinesis; Cyclops who emits a strong force from his eyes and Storm, who can manipulate the weather.  Professor X is worried about what Magneto will do because of his attitude towards humans; X believes in living harmoniously with humans whereas Magneto believes mutants have a greater power. Joining the X-Men team, Wolverine and Rogue along with the others attempt to find out what Magneto plans to do before the power struggle swings into motion. Magneto is not alone, however and is aided by a group of dangerous mutants. This includes Mystique, a highly skilled shapeshifter; Sabretooth; blessed with menacing strength and senses, and Toad, who is a menacing and slimy presence.

The first thing to notice about Bryan Singer’s movie is the screenplay. It excellently balances some excellent fight scenes with the presence of mutants becoming a metaphor for people suffering prejudice because they are deemed different by society. This makes the film relatable as well as immensely enjoyable. Many of the effects are stunning to witness, especially when it comes to showcasing each of the characters powers. Unusually for an action/fantasy, the characters are expanded and we get a genuine idea of what they go through as the narrative progresses. The music also adds to the action-packed atmosphere that pervades X-Men. One flaw could be that the pacing goes a little off in the later half of the film, but for the main part, X-Men certainly delivers the action/fantasy goods with more intelligence than most.

The cast assembled is what you could call top draw, with the actors carefully embodying these characters. Hugh Jackman is the standout as the aggressive, laconic and highly charismatic Wolverine, he really gets some great one-liners and his father-daughter relationship with the troubled Rogue manages to show a softer side. Patrick Stewart is exceptional as the wise and very powerful Professor X, who has some excellent some opposite Ian McKellen. Ian McKellen plays Magneto with a villainous glee that masks a past of suffering at the hands of others. The sexy Famke Janssen provides appeal as the telekinetic Jean, who takes a shine to Wolverine. James Marsden is a sullen presence as the second in command Cyclops, who clashes with Wolverine at various times. Halle Berry manages to ooze a quiet intensity as the weather controlling Storm, she may not be given much to do but Halle Berry manages to make Storm memorable. Anna Paquin delves into the alienation of Rogue that makes her a relatable character to audience as we feel her pain at not being able to come into physical contact with anyone without endangering them. Fleshing out the villains are Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as the slinky Mystique, Tyler Mane as the vicious Sabretooth and Ray Park as the creepy Toad. And not forgetting Bruce Davison as the powerful senator, hell-bent on exposing mutants who comes to see what it is really like after an incident with Magneto.

Bryan Singer stunningly combines interesting characters, an allegory on prejudice and some amazing effects to fashion the outstanding X-Men.

Short Cuts

Tags

1990's, Andie MacDowell, Anne Archer, Annie Ross, Bruce Davison, Buck Henry, Chris Penn, Drama, Ensemble Cast, Frances McDormand, Fred Ward, Huey Lewis, Jack Lemmon, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Julianne Moore, Lili Taylor, Lily Tomlin, Lori Singer, Los Angeles, Lyle Lovett, Madeleine Stowe, Matthew Modine, Peter Gallagher, Raymond Carver, Robert Altman, Robert Downey Jr, Short Cuts, Tim Robbins, Tom Waits

Film Title

Short Cuts

Director

Robert Altman

Starring :

• Andie MacDowell as Ann Finnigan
• Bruce Davison as Howard Finnigan
• Jack Lemmon as Paul Finnigan
• Julianne Moore as Marian Wyman
• Matthew Modine as Dr. Ralph Wyman
• Anne Archer as Claire Kane
• Fred Ward as Stuart Kane
• Jennifer Jason Leigh as Lois Kaiser
• Chris Penn as Jerry Kaiser
• Robert Downey, Jr. as Bill Bush
• Madeleine Stowe as Sherri Shepard
• Tim Robbins as Gene Shepard
• Lily Tomlin as Doreen Piggot
• Tom Waits as Earl Piggot
• Frances McDormand as Betty Weathers
• Peter Gallagher as Stormy Weathers
• Annie Ross as Tess Trainer
• Lori Singer as Zoe Trainer
• Lyle Lovett as Andy Bitkower
• Huey Lewis as Vern Miller
• Buck Henry as Gordon Johnson
• Lili Taylor as Honey Piggot Bush

Based on several stories by Raymond Carver, Short Cuts is Robert Altman’s intense, sprawling and minutely observed look into the eventful lives of 22 residents of L.A over a couple of days. Featuring a talented cast( as you may have guessed from the cast list above) that all contribute something to the story, Short Cuts works as an examination on the frailties of human behaviour, how people don’t realise how close we are to each other and how the smallest incident can have big consequences.

Without giving too much away and because I would probably need a lot of pages to write about all the stories, here is the brief outline of some of the stories. Doreen, a waitress struggles with her alcoholic husband Earl. To add to this she accidentally runs over the young son of news anchor Howard Finnigan. The boy’s mother Ann panics while her son slips into a coma, and she is harassed by the local baker Andy, as she has forgotten to pick up the boy’s birthday cake. Zoe, a talented yet depressed cello player lives next door and has a strained relationship with her musical mother, Tess. Gene Shepard, a single-minded policeman is playing away with Betty Weathers. This incurs the wrath of her estranged husband Stormy, who finds an interesting way to claim back what belongs to him in the house. Claire Kane works as a clown, while her husband Stuart goes on a fishing trip with his friends. On the trip, the men discover the corpse of a young woman in the river and debate what to do with it. Marian, an artist and her doctor husband Ralph have the couple over for dinner, venting their marital frustrations after one too many drinks. And the stories just keep on coming, fleshing out an interesting mosaic like microcosm of lives running congruent with each other.

Although the film runs for a long time, you probably won’t notice because of the intricate way the characters enter and leave each other’s lives. Altman, who often worked effectively with ensemble casts, further shows his craftsmanship with engaging us to the strange and unpredictable characters. Although the characters differ from each other, there is one thread that links many of them. The thread is hiding behind a facade; Marian paints to suppress her unhappiness, Zoe plays mournful music on her cello, Claire works as a clown to make money for herself and her husband. The film may not be to everyone’s taste, but one can’t help but marvel at the way Altman connects the many players of the cast and fashions a suburban tale of frustration, mental angst and dissatisfaction.

An intimate character study of a diverse group of people, Short Cuts is excellent and recommended viewing for the art of interconnecting stories and focusing on the effects of our choices in life.