Red Cliff 2
Back in November 2008 I reviewed John Woo’s amazing movie ‘Red Cliff’, which was set in China in 208 A.D. For his own reasons, a shrewd Prime Minister convinced a weak Emperor that they had to embark on a war uniting all of China. Various intrigues then followed, which culminated in a decisive battle at ‘Red Cliff’. A strategic position on the Yangtze River. At the time I said: “Everything about this movie, from the fascinating script, to the direction, acting, photography, costumes and staging, is absolutely superb”. But, I was a bit annoyed to discover that it was ‘to be continued’. The ultimate battle still had to be fought, the love stories still had to be resolved, and the outcomes of the main protagonists still had to be revealed. Well, folks, you will be pleased to learn that ‘Red Cliff 2’ has now hit the DVD shelves. All of the ‘cliff-hangers’ are solved. Yet, obviously shot at the same time, ‘Red Cliff 2’ is more lyrical, allegorical, and, occasionally funny. This movie is just as good as its predecessor, and it builds to a fantastic climax. Why don’t you do as I did, and put an afternoon or evening aside to watch both movies in one hit. Then you will get the full impact of the story.
Nothing But The Truth
Rod Lurie’s absorbing movie concerns a young investigative journalist who breaks an explosive political story in a major Washington DC newspaper, revealing the identity of a CIA agent. Hauled before a judge, the journalist refuses to give the name of her source, and she is incarcerated in prison until she does. Based on a true story, with names and situations altered to protect the ‘innocent’, Rod Lurie creates a very powerful movie which investigates journalistic integrity. Kate Beckinsale is impressive as the journalist, and Matt Dillon gives her great support as the prosecuting attorney. However, as the movie progresses, you start to wonder just how much of Kate’s stance is based on ‘integrity’, and, just how much of it is based on ‘professional advancement’. Especially, when there is a Pulitzer Prize in the offering!
RocknRolla
English screenwriter and director Guy Richie, the man who brought us ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ (2007) and ‘Snatch’ (2008), creates another of his highly entertaining ‘gangland’ movies, set in the shady underworld of London. This time around there is a rather nasty ‘Big Boss’, a sexy and dishonest lady accountant, some incredibly stupid underlings, and a mysterious Rock Star, all who are trying to shake down a Russian property developer for heaps of money, while searching for an important missing painting. The direction, script and acting are all highly frenzied. There are lots of brutal action, and plenty of laughs. Guy Richie makes much use of monochromatic colors, which also adds a lot of style to his classy movie.
Yes Man
American comedian Jim Carrey is an acquired taste. You either like him, or you don’t. Personally, I am a bit of a fan. I rather like his off-beat style of comedy. In this movie Jim plays a bored bank clerk, who attends a self-help motivational seminar, and learns that if he says “Yes” to every opportunity presented to him, his life will become much more enriched. Jim is much more controlled in this movie, though there are occasionally his trademark moments of wackiness. The movie is actually a romantic-comedy, and his Leading Lady, Zooey Deschanel, also has her moments of silly wackiness.
Outlander
An alien astronaut crash-lands his spaceship on the seeded colony of Earth. However, in Earth time, it is Norway in the year 709AD. As a rescue ship is probably two or three light-years away, the astronaut really has nothing much to do, so he joins the local Viking tribe, and goes off hunting dragons with them. The movie is absolutely ridiculous, but, it is a hell of a lot of fun!
Valkyrie
Towards the end of WWII, in July 1944, a group of high-ranking German officers plot to assassinate Hitler. They plan to seize power, and negotiate a truce with the Allies, bringing about an end to the war. Their plot fails miserably, but, in director Bryan Singer’s movie, these officers are depicted as heroes, of sorts. As an action/suspense/war movie ‘Valkyrie’ can often seem entertaining, however, it contains some stupid casting. The movie is full of prominent, and very proper, English actors playing German soldiers. No kidding. The dialogue and delivery goes something like this: “Oh, I say. What a jolly good idea. Let’s kill Hitler”. Sometimes the acting can be very amusing! The most idiotic casting, though, would have to be Tom Cruise as the leader of the gang of assassins. Badly injured in the war, Tom has lost an arm, a couple of fingers, and an eye. It is the kind of ‘flashy’ role he likes, but, Tom still manages to come across as just an All-American Action Hero.
W.
Oliver Stone does a good hatchet job on George W. Bush, in this tedious movie. Bush is presented as a ‘born again’ Christian, who uses his faith for political purposes, and he is also depicted as being in search of his father’s approval. There is a lot of talk in the movie, and, unless you kept up with the politics during his administration, the movie will not make very much sense.
