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Showing posts from December, 2012

Film Review: Les Miserables (2012)

When I was ten or so, I saw a musical production Les Miserables three times while it was in Perth, Australia. Since then, it has been my favourite musical of all time and I have also read the book, all 1200 pages of it. This film reproduction has surpassed any and all expectations I may have harboured, in every facet that I can think of. Production design, costume design, Tom Hooper brought his attention to detail from his other historical work, including John Adams, where even the teeth of those less fortunate in the mid nineteenth century are realistic. What really makes this musical stand out among the rest, is that the entire talented cast that includes: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter, sang all their songs live, in every take. This means that every take of acting and singing, had the emotion in every moment ring true and honest   and you can see the results for yourself. A musical l

Film Review: Killing Bono

Robert Sheehan and Ben Barnes shine in this eighties comedy that goes to the other side of rock and roll success, the failures. That said, this isn't a tragedy. Its a comedy that manages to keep the mood light even when the two actors portraying brothers Neil and Ivan McCormick, are not even speaking to each other. Pete Postlethwaite has a bit of fun in his small role as well, as the boys' landlord in London. All in all, a fun film to watch and laugh at.

TV Show Review: The People Speak (US)

This followed the same pattern as the Australian version, introduced by an author, in this case Howard Zinn and it was based on his book. A large group of actors, musicians lend their voices to little known pamphlets and some that are better known, if not the details. Marisa Tomei, Morgan Freeman, Kerry Washington, Sean Penn, Rosario Dawson, David Straithairn and Q'orianka Kilcher and others all appear on stage, to illustrate the lesser known points of American history. Its a interesting documentary and well worth watching, to gain extra insight on subjects that are already well sung before. Lincoln was originally against freeing the slaves. I wonder if Steven Spielberg knows this? I certainly didn't.

Film Review: A Dangerous Method

David Cronenberg is apparently better known for his horror films, none of which I have seen before. Keira Knightley is best known for her roles in "costume dramas". Michael Fassbender is still relatively a new rising star and has been in a variety of interesting roles. And Viggo Mortensen is probably best known to the world at large as Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings series. So when this highly talented group of people came together to create a clever film about the birth of psychoanalysis, thanks to their various backgrounds, they had a bit of trouble at the box office. Their collective talents in films were ignored, which is a shame, as I would have liked to see Ms Knightley win a Golden Globe or maybe a Academy Award nomination for her role in this film. This is a carefully crafted film from start to finish, with all actors completely invisible, leaving only Sigmund Freud, Sabina Spielrein and Carl Jung visible to the audience. Ms Knightley's accent especially i

Film Review: Skyfall

After not being a big fan of Bond, I watch this particular film, the latest after twenty two previous incarnations and am instantly interested in what comes next, in every scene that is shown. Maybe its the now classic elements from the early films with Sean Connery, or the unique style of directing from Sam Mendes, who also directed Daniel Craig in the film Road to Perdition. Another film where the elements of good and bad are blurred, but the story is still strong and visible. Mr Craig and Judi Dench reprise their now iconic roles to bring down this film's Bond villain. Javier Bardem portrays the effeminate character, with style and unnerving straight delivery of his lines and actions.  Ralph Fiennes makes an appearance, as well as Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw. The latter two bring some levity and humour to the scenes they are included in. Berenice Marhole and Naomie Harris are this film's "Bond Girls", both are the pinnacle of their characters. A ver

TV Show Review: Being Human (UK)

As is the way with successful and widely enjoyed British made television programmes and films, they are often remade by American based companies. Hence the acronym in the post title, specifying that this is a review of the brilliant TV Show Being Human, that for for the first three seasons, has Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey and Lenora Crichlow as the three main characters. These three actors, portray Mitchell, George, and Annie, respectively, a vampire, werewolf and ghost. Interestingly, the original story was not going to have the supernatural involved, at all. The three characters were going to be human, no pun intended, if not for the series creator, Toby Whithouse. This is a very well made show, every action that the characters make, whether small or large, has an impact that makes it seem real and a proper TV drama. The special effects are simple, but effective. The acting by all who appear is well executed and seamless. It is a black comedy, but is woven in well with the mo

TV Show Review: The People Speak (Aus)

As indicated in the post title, this is the Australian version, presented by author Thomas Keneally. He is joined by some of Australia's well known actors and musicians who read out speeches and letters from a wide range of people from history, ranging from the time that Australia was first settled by Europeans and some from more recent history. A couple of songs are sung, both well known, but the deeper meanings behind them, less so. Jack Thompson, Ryan Kwanten, Sophie Lowe, Christina Anu, David Wenham, Hal Holbrook are just some of the people who lend their voices to illustrate pieces of history that are more often left out of the history books. The result of of this is a very intense, but well worth watching documentary that really does illustrate  "the good, the bad and the ugly."