CRIME

Starring: Michael Douglas, Benecio del Toro, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dennis Quaid
The plot: This story focus on just the bare surface of America's war with drugs. In it, The US's new drug Czar, must deal with his daughter increasing drug addiction as he cracks down on drugs coming into the country. However, the drug war in Mexico means one drug mafia is out to get rid of another mafia. Caught up in all of this is a Mexican policeman who just wants the kids to be able to safely play baseball at night. Meanwhile, a pampered suburban wife is suddenly thrown into the deep end when her husband is arrested for drug trafficing and the FBI are protecting the one man capable of putting her husband away and taking away her life of luxury. It is a tale of extreme and problems.
Comment: The story was compelling as it was frightening. Drugs are a real problem in Ameirca - and no one thinks twice about the why. Traffic tries to get people to face the reality of trying to prevent the drug trade into America and the crime and horrors associated with using drugs. Ona few occasions, the film gets up on a platform and spouts off some facts, but they are quickly lost in the never-ending battle with drugs. It is an intensely interesting film that doesn't dwell so much on drugs as to the diverse impact it has on people's lives.The only grumble I had was the cinematography... I liked the washed out yellow of Mexico, got annoyed at the blue-tint for the US Drug Czar and then really got annoyed when the different colous didn't stick to a theme... But, this film is worth seeing at least once!
Return to top

Starring: Eric Bana, Simon Lyndon, Kate Beaham
The plot: Mark 'Chopper' Brandon Read is one of Australia's more notorious criminals. During the 1970's and '80's, he claims to have committed several vicious murders, both in prison and outside. The story starts in 1991 with Chopper watching a documentary on himself, in his jail cell with a couple of prison guards. We are then thrown back in time to 1978 where Chopper openly and remorselessly kills a prison inmate he doesn't like - to a backdrop of some stunning poor-taste '70's clothing... To survive death threats, he gets himself transferred to another prison by cutting his ears off. In 1986, he is back out on the streets...
Comment: As the film states at the very start, this is not a biography - and according to those who have read the two books Chopper Read has written, probably not as sensationalized. Despite this disclaimer through, there are some truly graphic bloody and gruesome moments in this film. And (despite the directors protests) there are some incredibly humorous moments... Although the distracting and annoying color-effects in the filming of this film, Chopper is amazingly well written and Eric Bana (a local Australian stand up comedian) is marvelous as Chopper Read. One minute Bana as Chopper is overcome with 'white rage' and commits an atrocious acts know to humanity - and then seconds later, is looking at his handiwork in horror and trying to come to grips with it. By the time he is questioned, it becomes bit of a farce as he very seriously and earnestly explains how the crime happened... Although this film may not be for the squeamish, it is a very, very, very well produced film which only looses some momentum towards the end. Although somewhat biased by being Australian, I did not feel the accents and plot would be foreign to overseas audiences and highly recommended that you check out this movie.
Return to top

Starring: Chow YunFat, Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi
The plot: A powerful warrior decided upon retiring to donate his sword to a respected gentleman in Peking. However, no sooner is the sword placed in the care of the elder gentleman in Peking, is it stolen by an assassin trained in same mythical arts as himself. Meanwhile, the mysterious thief has also an agenda to fulfill, not the least of which, to retain he sword.
Comment: This film rather defies categorizing as it is really fantasy and action and drama all rolled into one. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is also about as far away from Sense and Sensibility as you will get, yet director, Ang Lee has created a masterpiece with this film. At first, the film seems like it is based in reality, and then the first 'flight or fight' scenes explode on the screen with a flurry of beautiful choreography and breathtaking effects that soon convert the potentially mundane martial arts battle into beautiful and fast-paced ballet with an added element of fantasy. Truly, the film must traverse he length and breadth of China finding all this beautiful scenery - and truly a tip of hat must go to the cinematographer on this effort. The acting is marvelous as well - particularly between the two lead women characters.
Return to top

Starring: Nicholas Cage, Robert Duval, Giovanni Ribisi, Angelina Jolie
The plot: Kip Raines accidentally ends up leading the police to the warehouse where he and his gang have been storing cars for a shipment to be made to a nasty crime boss. As a result, his brother, the legendary Memphis Raines is called back to L.A. to do a deal with the crime boss to try and save his brother's life. However, the boss won't accept anything less than the 50 cars promised to him by Kip. Deliver them, and Kip walks with his life...
Comment: Well, after all the critics slammed this movie, I was expecting a bunch of car chases linked by the flimsiest of plots. Instead, Gone in 60 Seconds turned out to be an enjoyable, fast-paced, action-packed little thriller with solid performances turned in by all the cast. Admittedly the plot is a little bit sparse, but who cares when Cage, Duval and Ribisi hit it off and actually give a bit of depth to the film. Probably the most disappointing performance was turned in by British actor, Christopher Eccleston, as the crime boss. Gone are the days when the British villains seem to overpower the big American name actors (Re: The legendary Alan Rickman completely outperforming Bruce Willis and Kevin Costner in Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves...).
Return to top

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, Judi Dench
The plot: After a kidnapping-gone-wrong (at the advice of the esteemed leader of MI6, "M"), and with her father recently assassinated, Bond is called in to protect Elektra from her kidnapper, Renard. Elektra is not very happy about this given she is aware the MI6 botched up rescue from her kidnapper and isn't very happy to see Bond in a professional capacity - although she is quite content to enjoy him on a social playing field... However, the motive behind Elektra's plans becomes all to clear to Bond as he investigates some anomalies in the games she plays.
Comment: Definitely one of he better Bond movies in recent times, and the first one where Brosnan really delivers on that Bond charisma we all saw in him back in the days of the TV series, Remington Steele. Although the 'true Bond formula' is being toted as the reason for this film's strong performance, watching an Connery classic the other day reveals this later Bond is definitely a '90's Bond - more emphasis on tech gadgets than just gadgets, more focus on special effects than spectacular scenery (of the rich), and increased intelligence in women as opposed to decorative armpieces who provide witty repartee... However, with plenty of action and special effects and a thousand little flaws to keep you entertained during the more drawn out moments towards the end of the film, you will be pleased by the overall delivery by actors, special effects, plot (well, er, sort of...) and directing/producing.
Return to top