Spectre

Tags

007, 2010's, Andrew Scott, Ben Whishaw, Christoph Waltz, Daniel Craig, Dave Bautista, James Bond, Jesper Christensen, Léa Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Sam Mendes, Spectre, Spy

Film Title

Spectre

Director

Sam Mendes

Starring

• Daniel Craig as James Bond
• Christoph Waltz as Franz Oberhauser
• Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann
• Ben Whishaw as Q
• Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny
• Dave Bautista as Mr. Hinx
• Monica Bellucci as Lucia Sciarra
• Ralph Fiennes as M
• Andrew Scott as Max Denbigh
• Jesper Christensen as Mr. White

It was going to be a hard act to follow the phenomenal success and acclaim that Skyfall experienced, but I’m happy to report that Spectre, the 24th Bond movie is excellently done and hugely entertaining on almost every level. Bringing back some of the classic formula that makes the series so enjoyable in the first place, Spectre scores high points.

We begin in Mexico during the Day of the Dead, where Bond is on an unofficial mission as ordered by the former M before her death. He is tracking an international criminal named Marco Sciarra who is planning to blow up a prominent stadium. Before he can do this Bond intervenes in typically bombastic fashion and gives chase to the mafia boss, ending up with the two of them battling it out in a helicopter slowly spinning out of control. Bond overpowers him and manages to claim his ring, which bears a curious octopus symbol. Meanwhile, back in London, the current M is under pressure when Bond returns because his actions play into the hands of ambitious Security Chief Max Denbigh. The cocky upstart has plans to rid MI6 of the 00 section, seeing it as old and outdated. Though disciplined by M to stay and not doing anything rash, Bond, enlisting the covert services of loyal Moneypenny and gadget man Q, travels to Rome to uncover more about the syndicate the Sciarra was part of. Through contact with the forbidden Lucia, who is the widow of Sciarra, he finds the meeting place. It transpires that the organisation is the nefarious SPECTRE, who are behind worldwide acts of chaos and evil. Most alarming of all is the fact that the head of it is someone from Bond’s past known as Franz Oberhauser. Travelling to Austria, where he encounters former enemy Mr White, who is dying and in his last moments gives Bond precious information, Bond is set for a globetrotting adventure that also takes him to Tangier. He is further aided by Mr White’s intelligent daughter Dr Madeleine Swann, as he unearths the full nature of the crime group and confronts his own past in a mission that gets personal and very dangerous.

Sam Mendes successfully returns to the director seat again and works marvels with Spectre. Sprinkling proceedings with humour, action and dangerous elegance, he captures the world of Bond with excitement and panache. I enjoyed seeing Mendes tipping his hat to some of the older movies in the series, specifically From Russia with Love and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Style oozes from the frames of this movie and special mention must go to the dazzling opening sequence. The sweeping nature of the tracking shot that begins the film is stunning and it burns itself deep into the mind for its skill, as well as the rest of the action-packed sequence that begins things with one hell of a bang. And I must give credit to the lovely cinematography that gives each new location on Bond’s journey a sense of dangerous atmosphere and international intrigue. Whether it be the burned oranges of shadowy Rome to the exotic golden sheen of Morocco, Spectre never fails to engage on a visual level. For all the visual grandeur, at least Spectre has a good script and story to go along with too. I liked the reintroduction of humour again and the way it was balanced with suspense. There really are some cracking one liners in here that will raise a chuckle or so within the audience, but there is still a grittiness within that is typical of Craig’s tenure as 007. Spectre feels very much like a Bond movie of old in style and content, though mixed with up to date agendas and technology. Thomas Newman provides a stirring and sweeping score that acts as a an excellent accompaniment to the adventure on screen and is not afraid to break out the outrageous bombast of old. Though the Sam Smith song for the movie has caused an ambivalent response, the orchestra heavy ‘Writing’s On the Wall’ fits stunningly into an unusual title sequence of octopus tentacles crawling over lovely ladies, fiery elementals caressing Bond and flickers of the past in shattered glass.

In his fourth outing as 007, Daniel Craig is excellent and really looks comfortable with the part. He still brings a level of seriousness to the screen, but it’s fun to see him be quick-witted and ruthless with style. In other words, Craig brings a new lease of life to Bond by combining both of these qualities and emerging successful. Largely seen in the shadows for the first half but once unveiled a slimy presence, a superb Christoph Waltz imbues the villain Oberhauser with a sinister charm and quiet sense of being the one pulling a whole lot of strings. Portraying the primary Bond girl Madeleine Swann, Léa Seydoux is sultry, intuitive and well-rounded as we witness her being able to handle dangerous situations and be able to analyse Bond. There is something very layered about the character and through the talents of Seydoux, they shine through. Ben Whishaw is a hoot as Q, given more material and working wonders with some splendidly written scenes with Bond as he risks his job to help him on his mission. Naomie Harris shines as Moneypenny, who also risks her job to help Bond and has a natural sense of humour about her. The hulking and silent credentials of Dave Bautista make for a suitably menacing henchman who tangles with Bond on more than one occasion. In a small but well-played part, the lovely Monica Bellucci plays a mob widow with a sense of melancholy and sexiness to her, who gives Bond some very important information regarding the eponymous group. Ralph Fiennes is great as M, who is not backing down from battling the forces that want to take away what he has worked for all this time. As the slick and brash Denbigh who has big plans and is thoroughly smug and condescending, Andrew Scott does a good job at making him really unlikable. And making a pivotal cameo is Jesper Christensen as former enemy Mr White who while dying after betraying SPECTRE, confides in Bond.

A well-shot, stylish and exciting Bond adventure, Spectre provides thrills and action that will leave you astonished and engrossed. I think it’s fair to say Spectre is a more than worthy follow-up to the amazing Skyfall.

 

Coriolanus

Tags

2010's, Brian Cox, Coriolanus, Gerard Butler, James Nesbitt, Jessica Chastain, Paul Jesson, Ralph Fiennes, Tragedy, Vanessa Redgrave, William Shakespeare

Film Title

Coriolanus

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Starring

• Ralph Fiennes as Caius Martius Coriolanus
• Gerard Butler as Tullus Aufidius
• Vanessa Redgrave as Volumnia
• Brian Cox as Menenius
• Jessica Chastain as Virgilia
• James Nesbitt as Sicinius
• Paul Jesson as Brutus

A visceral, blood-soaked modern-day adaptation of the William Shakespeare tragedy which marks the directorial debut of Ralph Fiennes, Coriolanus proves that Shakespeare is just as relevant today as he has ever been with themes of political manipulation and war.

In a battle ravaged version of Rome, riots are taking place on the streets due to a shortage of food and a brutal war is raging against the neighbouring Volscians. The brilliant Roman general Caius Martius is a vicious and brutal warrior  just returning from combat with his old enemy Tullus Aufidius. Upon arrival, he is bestowed with the powerful title of Coriolanus. His ambitious mother Volumnia and influential Senator Menenius persuade him to run for political office, but this doesn’t fair well with Coriolanus as he looks down at the common people and sees them as contemptible. He does however obey his mother and strive for power within the political sphere. Other members of the senate have different ideas about this and begin to incur the wrath of the people who detest his arrogance and slander towards them. This causes them to rise up against the general and he is subsequently banished from Rome as a traitor. Once banished, Coriolanus wanders through the war-torn countryside and comes across his sworn enemy Aufidius. Betrayed by his people and filled with deep rage, Coriolanus forms an unlikely alliance with his old opponent and they plan to take revenge on Rome.

With his directorial debut, Ralph Fiennes brings a gritty realism to the scenes of war and utilises close-ups and dizzying tracking shots to get to the heart of emotion. Updating Shakespeare into a modern context must have provided a challenge, but Fiennes pull it off admirably and shows that the Bard’s work can be applied to modern events just as it is classic events from centuries ago. Admittedly, at first hearing the classical dialogue of Shakespeare spoken in a modern setting can be hard to understand and get used to, but once you become attuned to the words and style the benefits of Coriolanus are deeply rewarding. The score is laced with a militant precision as Coriolanus begins his encroaching plans for revenge with the aid of his old enemy and the impending notion of tragedy.

What really gives Coriolanus its power is the astonishing cast assembled. In the title role, Ralph Fiennes is fierce, arrogant and raging as he changes from ‘man to dragon’ and declares vengeance on Rome. Fiennes gives the role his all and really gets to the heart of this complex character with his powerful delivery and barely contained intensity that radiates from his eyes. Gerard Butler is impressively tough and suspecting as his sworn enemy who becomes an ally. Vanessa Redgrave is brilliant as Volumnia, the autocratic mother of Coriolanus. Ambitious, influential and  overly supportive, Redgrave brings a whole range of emotions to the part of this matriarch and speaks her lines with authority and confidence. Her scenes are electrifying with Ralph Fiennes as she attempts to reason with him, whilst also issuing her powerful and domineering hold over her son. Brian Cox is effectively used as a powerful Senator who is firmly on the side of Coriolanus, whilst Jessica Chastain exudes vulnerability and tenderness as Virgilia, the wife of Coriolanus. James Nesbitt and Paul Jesson relish their roles as politicians who succeed in manipulating events so that Coriolanus is banished.

Dramatic, violent and gripping, Coriolanus is Shakespeare updated in visceral and powerful fashion, boasting fantastic performances and assured direction.

The Prince of Egypt

Tags

1990's, Animated, Biblical, Danny Glover, Helen Mirren, Jeff Goldblum, Martin Short, Michelle Pfeiffer, Patrick Stewart, Ralph Fiennes, Sandra Bullock, Steve Martin, The Prince of Egypt, Val Kilmer

Film Title

The Prince of Egypt

Directors

Simon Wells, Brenda Chapman and Steve Hickner

Voice Cast

• Val Kilmer as Moses
• Ralph Fiennes as Rameses
• Michelle Pfeiffer as Tzipporah
• Sandra Bullock as Miriam
• Jeff Goldblum as Aaron
• Danny Glover as Jethro
• Patrick Stewart as Pharaoh Seti
• Helen Mirren as Queen Tuya
• Steve Martin as Hotep
• Martin Short as Huy

DreamWorks take on the biblical story of Moses is a stunningly animated and powerfully constructed film. From the stirring music to the talented voice cast, The Prince of Egypt is a powerful achievement in animation as Moses discovers his destiny to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

In Ancient Egypt, a female slave, in order to save her baby son from a cull of Hebrew children, sends him down the river in a basket in the hopes that he will be able to live free. The baby is discovered by the Queen, who adopts him and gives him the name Moses. Years later, Moses is grown up and has a friendly rivalry with his older brother Rameses, who will one day become Pharaoh. Moses is unaware of his mother’s sacrifice all those years ago or the fact that he is a Hebrew by birth. That is until he meets Miriam, his biological sister and a slave who informs him of the truth. Confused and shocked by this, he begins to see that everything he’s ever known has been a lie. Now aware of his past, he can’t just stand and watch as the Hebrews are enslaved by the Egyptians. Fleeing into the desert after accidentally killing a slave driver beating an elderly slave, Moses is visited by God in the form of a burning bush. Moses now begins to understand his destiny but his views are at odds with the newly crowned Rameses. Their differing beliefs will forever change the close relationship of the two. Evocative, well executed and filled with images of great wonder and beauty, The Prince of Egypt is a staggeringly staged marvel of animation that will engage you regardless of whether you’re religious or not.

The first thing to praise is the grand and beautiful animation that captures the interest from the first frame. Scenes live long in the memory from the slaves praying through their arduous work to Moses being sent down the river, visual splendour abounds. Special attention must go to the sequences of the Plagues of Egypt; as frogs emerge from the river, livestock perishes and the last plague of the death of the first-born occur. These scenes are carefully constructed and detailed to the highest degree as well as dealing with some deep themes such as faith and religion. The music of the film is stirring and very memorable. The two songs that stand out the most are ‘Deliver Us’, sung by the slaves as they ask God for mercy and the Oscar-winning ‘When You Believe’, a stunning song about the eventual reward of patience and the joy that comes from undying faith.

The voice cast assembled are an exceptionally talented bunch that invest their characters with both heart and emotion. Val Kilmer strongly voices Moses and shows us the gradual bravery after initial uncertainty that Moses gets as he realises his destiny. The commanding voice of Ralph Fiennes portrays Rameses who struggles with his brother’s calling and won’t back down as he sees it as a sign of weakness. Michelle Pfeiffer combines feisty determination with loving warmth as Tzipporah, the eventual wife of Moses who he helped escape from Egypt after being kidnapped. Sandra Bullock is earnest and passionate as Miriam, the sister of Moses who is the first person to show him the truth about his destiny. Fleshing out the other skilled voices are Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart and Helen Mirren, who all contribute emotional depth to this tale. Steve Martin and Martin Short voice the court magicians who add the comic relief.

Stunningly animated and sonically beautiful, The Prince of Egypt is a marvellous film. Some may say it is religious propaganda, but one can’t deny the amount of talented work at play here in bringing this story to the screen.

Spider

Tags

2000's, David Cronenberg, Gabriel Byrne, Lynn Redgrave, Miranda Richardson, Psychological Drama, Ralph Fiennes, Spider

Film Title

Spider

Director

David Cronenberg

Cast

• Ralph Fiennes as Dennis ‘Spider’ Cleg
• Miranda Richardson as Mrs. Cleg/Yvonne
• Gabriel Byrne as Bill Cleg
• Bradley Hall as Young Spider
• John Neville as Terrence
• Lynn Redgrave as Mrs. Wilkinson

With Spider, David Cronenberg takes the viewer on an intense and psychological journey through the mind of a paranoid schizophrenic as he begins to remember important events from his childhood. Deftly told and powerfully acted, Spider is a film that gets you tangled up in its web and just when you think you’ve figured it out, you see something unexpected and you’re left flawed.

The film begins with an excellent tracking shot through a London station as passengers disembark a train. When the camera finishes gliding through the crowd, we finally get our first glimpses of the title character. He is unkempt, often stoops, mutters to himself and has a haunted expression. In these opening moments, we get a distinct picture of Spider and how his behaviour that will influence the events of the film. He has just been released from an asylum after treatment for schizophrenia and now is to live in a dilapidated halfway way house in the East End. He arrives and is greeted with the cold, unfeeling Mrs. Wilkinson, but is helped by an old man called Terrence. It is here that Spider’s memory begins to unravel and he begins to literally relive his key ‘moments’ from his traumatic childhood whilst revisiting his childhood haunts. The most prominent events revolve around his caring mother and his drunken father, who seems to be having an affair with a local hooker. But as Spider descends deeper into these memories, his mental state begins to deteriorate, even as he begins to put the missing pieces together. Throughout the film, the audience is left with an interesting question, Are the memories that he is reliving real or the result of his paranoia? That is for the audience to decide as the film takes on numerous ambiguous meanings and connotations.

As the title character, Ralph Fiennes delivers a powerful and committed portrayal that lets the audience experience the living nightmare he endures. He lets his body do most of the talking, capturing the nervousness, jittery movements and awkward gestures that say so much more than speech can. It is through Spider’s eyes that we see the ‘events’ that befell him as a child and how the repercussions have deeply and emotionally scarred him. He is excellently portrayed as a child by Bradley Hall, who boasts an eerily resemblance to Fiennes. Miranda Richardson delivers knockout performances as two women who although they were at different ends of the moral spectrum, each had a huge impact on the boy’s psyche. She embodies both characters, Spider’s saintly mother and Yvonne, a vulgar, loose living prostitute, with a deft skill that is amazing to watch and remarkable in clearly showing the differences in the women. Gabriel Byrne exudes menace as Spider’s abusive father, whose dalliance with Yvonne led to terrifying consequences. And Lynn Redgrave is suitably chilly as the unfriendly and beady-eyed Mrs.Wilkinson.

Credit must go to the screenplay that blends the lines between past and present with a haunting skill. This use of narrative further challenges the audience to decide what is in fact real and imaginary. The set design impeccably displays the dark and dingy area in which Spider grew up and the various incidents that shaped his existence. As with most of Cronenberg’s films, Spider isn’t the most pleasant thing to watch but regardless of this, is an exceptionally evocative and chilling account of the repercussions of memory and the tenuous link between past and present as it overlaps. The film boasts many interpretations that rise from small events that you may have to view again to get a better understanding. If its psychological drama that you want, watch this underrated film that will leave you flawed by the time it ends and thinking about it for days after.

Skyfall

Tags

007, 2010's, 50th Anniversary, Action, Adele, Adventure, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, Daniel Craig, James Bond, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Ola Rapace, Ralph Fiennes, Roger Deakins, Sam Mendes, Skyfall, Spy

Film Title

Skyfall

Director

Sam Mendes

Cast

• Daniel Craig as James Bond
• Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva
• Judi Dench as M
• Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory
• Naomie Harris as Eve
• Berenice Marlohe as Severine
• Ben Whishaw as Q
• Ola Rapace as Patrice
• Albert Finney as Kincade

Skyfall is the 23rd entry into the James Bond series and this year celebrates the 50 years 007 has been on our screens. As many of my followers will know I’m a huge fan of the James Bond series, but I promise I’ll try to make this review as objective as possible. But even if you are not a fan, you can’t ignore the staggering success that the series has attained over it’s 50 year run. Over these years the films have showcased many exciting missions, amazingly beautiful women and maniacal villains, many of which have become a part of popular culture. If there was any doubt that the series couldn’t recover after the underwhelming Quantum Of Solace, then look no further than Skyfall that makes a spectacular return to form on the 50th Anniversary. Anyway, back to my review of the film.

The film starts with Bond and a sexy field agent named Eve, pursuing a mercenary in Istanbul who has a device that contains the identity of NATO agents. Right from the start, the atmosphere is thrilling and gripping, as the chase moves from cars to foot and eventually the top of a train. It is the perfect way to start the film. On the command of M, Eve armed with a sniper shoots intending to hit the target who is grappling with Bond. Instead she hits 007, who in turn falls into the river and is presumed dead. The scene is rounded of as Bond falls into an atmospheric title sequence accompanied by the sound of Adele’s title song, which harks back to the early Bond songs.

As a result of her judgment and command, M is pressured to resign by Government chairman Mallory. Then, MI6 is hacked and a bomb is set off at the headquarters, killing many of the workers. Meanwhile, Bond is “enjoying death” in some corner of the globe, a shadow of his old self. When he hears of the attack, he returns to duty to uncover the source of terror on M. It appears that M made an enemy of a former agent, Raoul Silva, who in turn wants personal and sadistic revenge on his former boss. What ensures is a thrilling, action packed and character driven film that firmly establishes Bond as a force that is here to stay.

What is great upon viewing the film is its neat balance of action and character development. Sam Mendes, best known for directing American Beauty, makes an assured entry into the Bond canon. All of the leading players involved in the film deserve some credit. Daniel Craig’s third movie features a great performance that shows both the vulnerable and tough sides to James Bond.As the flamboyant, sadistic and utterly menacing Silva, Javier Bardem is outstanding in a role that fits him like a glove. In my book, he is sure to go down as a memorable adversary for Bond. Judi Dench gives a commanding performance as M, as she is pivotal to the story and Dench rises to the challenge of having a larger role with ease. We finally get an insight into this commanding woman, both as a person and as the boss. No Bond film would be complete without the women. Naomie Harris provides a sexy presence as a field agent who playfully spars with Bond. Die hard fans should watch for a neat twist involving her character. The other girl, Berenice Marlohe has the smaller role but is equally as sexy and adds mystery to her character of Severine. My only quibble with her character is that it would have been better if her role had been expanded a little more. Sterling support is provided by Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw, who makes an amusing and geeky young Q for this generation of fans. Albert Finney also appears as someone from Bond’s past and steals the scenes that he has.

The cinematography by Roger Deakins is exemplary in the way it captures the mood of the film and accentuates emotions with his use of colour. The locations and set pieces used are also amazing to the eye, such as the scene of Bond grappling with an enemy against a back drop of electric blue jellyfish and an exotic casino equipped with deadly Komodo dragons.

All that I have left to say is this, Skyfall is an exciting, gripping and action packed film with all the right ingredients and references to the early Bond movies. Even if you are not a fan of the series, see it as soon as you can as you won’t regret it.