Nightwatching
Peter Greenaway is a distinguished British director. His works include ‘The Cook, The thief, His wife and Her lover’ (1989), ‘Prospero’s Books’ (1991) and ‘The Pillow Book’ (1995). In his latest movie, ‘Nightwatching’, Greenaway looks at the life of the 17th century Dutch artist Rembrandt. The movie features incredibly lush sets and costumes, and it is presented like a stage play, for aspects of ‘theatre’ are vital to Greenaway’s interpretation of Rembrandt. The artist is presented more like a stage director, interested in costuming, props and local Amsterdam gossip. In a painting commissioned by the Amsterdam Militia, Rembrandt adds clues linking them to a dreadful scandal. The Burgers are not happy! The movies of Peter Greenaway are always sponsored by the British Film Council, for he has little commercial appeal, yet he has a huge ‘art house’ following. ‘Nightwatching’ is his most accessible movie since ‘The Draughtsman’s Contract’ (1983), but it is still heavy going for the general public. However, if you have the patience to decipher the movie’s mystery, you will find it a very rewarding experience.
The Oxford Murders
This is another intriguing British movie full of clues which also need to be deciphered. An exchange student, played by Elijah Wood, and a Professor of Mathematics, skillfully depicted by John Hurt, become involved in solving a series of murders, as the police are bamboozled and have nowhere to turn. The serial killer is leaving clues that take the form of a mathematical progression, and only Elijah and John can figure out what is going to happen next. Based on a novel by Guillermo Martinez, the story is not the most complicated mystery ever written, but, director Alex de la Iglesia manages to turn the movie into a rather stylish affair, with a certain amount of suspense.
National Treasure 2, Book of Secrets
This follow-up to the hit ‘National Treasure’ (2004) is part historical detective story, part conspiracy thriller, and part Boy’s Own Adventure. Nicolas Cage reprises his role of the treasure hunter Ben Gates, and another series of clues, which also have to be deciphered, lead him on an exciting chase through Paris, London, and back to the good old USA, in search of a fabulous lost treasure. Jon Turteltaub re-directs, but as this is a Walt Disney Production you can be sure there is nothing too offensive, too disturbing, or too ferocious in the movie. Just good old fashioned family entertainment.
King of California
After the first 15 minutes of this movie I was prepared to dismiss it as just another tedious film about a disgruntled teenage girl and her cantankerous father, who has recently been released from a mental institution. However, as the film progresses it becomes rather interesting. As it turns out, the cantankerous father has found an old journal, which also contains a series of clues needing deciphering, that can lead to another fabulous treasure buried somewhere in California. As the hunt continues, through housing estates, golf courses and shopping malls, a lot of warmth and wit emerges in the movie. Written and directed by Mike Cahill, and starring Evan Rachel Wood and Michael Douglas, the film does have some charm. But, Michael Douglas can forget about it, if he thinks he can win an Oscar by playing a ‘nut case’!
The Walker
Probably the most well known film of American screen writer and director Paul Schrader would have to be his 1979 hit ‘American Gigolo’, in which Richard Gere showed his ‘butt’ and became a star. Schrader’s latest movie is about a gay Washington socialite, who ‘walks’ wealthy women to social events when their husbands are not available, or not interested in attending. When one of his girlfriends becomes implicated in a murder, ‘The Walker’ tries to cover-up for her, and social ruin follows. The film has a lot of class, but its style is too similar to ‘American Gigolo’, so, consequently, it comes across as being ‘old fashioned’. Woody Harrelson is also not very good as the pretentious gay socialite. He plays ‘gay’, but just a little bit too much!
The Final Inquiry
The Italian Cinema is famous for making spectacular ‘swords and sandals’ sagas, with a religious bent. Director Giulio Base’s latest Roman epic is very much in the Italian tradition, for it concentrates way too much on gorgeous sets and costumes, and the plot appears to be something of an inconvenient necessity. However, once you look past the production values, a rather good story emerges. Strange signs and omens are troubling the Emperor Tiberius, so he sends an undercover agent to Judea to report on the disturbing new cult of Christianity. The agent quickly gets down to business, and comes to the conclusion that the resurrections of Lazarus and Jesus were elaborately staged hoaxes. Christ survived the Crucifixion, and is now living quietly in seclusion in Galilee. I wasn’t offended by the movie, however, I am sure there are many Christians who will be, so they are advised not to watch it!
My Mom’s New Boyfriend
I was enjoying Meg Ryan’s new movie. It is great to see her back in a light romantic comedy again. But, when an ancient plot devise, which was totally exploited by William Wyler, Peter O’Toole and Audrey Hepburn in their delightful 1966 soufflé ‘How to Steal a Million’, made an unannounced and unacknowledged sudden appearance, I lost any interest in the movie entirely.
Mr. Robet’s Best Buys
Lust Caution
Director Ang Lee’s sexy and suspenseful spy movie is simply a knockout.
10.000 BC
An excellent adventure movie, with some highly impressive special effects.
Nightwatching
Peter Greenaway’s latest ‘art’ movie is very demanding but very rewarding.
Bernard and Doris
A sympathetic look at the relationship between a rich woman and her butler.
Seraphim Falls
This drama is surprising, with its touches of surrealism and magical realism.
Savage Grace
A searing drama, concerning taboo subjects, that is Strictly for Adults Only.
The Oxford Murders
This cunning murder mystery is full of odd clues, that have to be deciphered.
Walk Hard
The ‘bio pic’ movie genre gets well and truly ‘sent up’ in this ‘hip’ comedy.
The Bank Job
A sleek and stylish British crime thriller, supposedly based on true events.
National Treasure 2, Book of Secrets
A rollicking adventure flick, which is great entertainment for all the family.
Death Defying Acts
A beautifully presented love story, set in the world of séances and psychics.
The Final Inquiry
A biblical saga, with a very interesting plot, that could offend some people.
King of California
A warm and witty film, about a father and daughter going on a treasure hunt.
Silk
The plot of this love story is predictable, but the movie is splendid to look at.
