Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke star in this crime drama as brothers who plan a heist on a jewelery store that goes very wrong. This film was well acted, but the characters are an unsympathetic bunch and you don't feel like rooting for any of them. That, plus a lack of motivation for some of their behaviour left me with an impression that the film wasn't quite the sum of its parts and ought to have been better. Flawed, but interesting.
Taken For A Ride
This was a documentary about how General Motors and other car manufacturers deliberately engineered the collapse of public transport in the United States and led to the total mess the country is now in with traffic jams in every city. This wasn't something we knew much about, so Steph and I found it fascinating. Seems that the general public loved their trams and they were very effective, but GM decided they wanted to sell cars so they bought all the transit systems and then ran them into the ground. Recommended for its educational value, and maybe because it might encourage people to shout louder for better public transit (and that doesn't mean buses!)
Redacted
Loosely based on true events, this is a Brian De Palma film that tells the story of US marines in Iraq who rape and kill a young girl. It was overacted, and annoying in the way it shoved its political message down your throat. Some shock value perhaps, and I'd give it credit for trying to show the reality of the war in Iraq but I can't recommend this movie because in many ways it sucked.
Steep
If you are at all interested in snow sports or the outdoors in general then you must see this movie. It tells the story of a bunch of crazy men and women who climb or fly to the top of the highest mountain peaks and then ski down them in the most dangerous conditions, purely for the adventure of it all. The moutain visuals are breathtaking, and the people although obviously adrenaline junkies are a likeable bunch and they genuinely inspired and moved me with their commentaries. Makes you want to get outdoors and do stuff, which is a very good thing. Watch it!
London To Brighton
A British gangster chase thriller (phew), but fortunately not in the style of Lock, Stock etc. This is a bleak, gritty, unrelenting England without comic accents and "cockney geezers". It's a very simple movie with few characters (all unknown actors pretty much) and a bare-bones plot, but it totally engrosses thanks to believable performances, good pacing, and a strong, oppressive tension throughout. One of the best thrillers I've seen in a long time, and totally recommended.
The Walker
Woody Harrelson plays a gay socialite who "escorts" a group of rich women to various high-class events, but then gets mixed up in a murder. A strange premise, and a movie I wasn't sure would engage me but thankfully it did, thanks to Harrelson's brilliant performance (plus a great supporting cast) and a superb script. Slow paced for sure, but never dull and thoroughly enjoyable. Give it a try.
In The Shadow Of The Moon
This is a documentary about the NASA moon landings, told by the astronauts who actually did it. There's lots of fascinating archive footage from the time that has been spruced up with some modern technology. The result is a movie that is amazing to watch, but the best thing about this film are the personal accounts from the men themselves, and in particular their insights into seeing the Earth from such a unique perspective. I left feeling uplifted, but also reminded that our planet is a very precious thing that we should do all we can to protect. Everyone should see this movie, and I reckon they should show it to kids in school too.
The Darjeeling Ltd.
Went to see this movie because we've liked other films by the same director (Wes Anderson), such as The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic. In my opinion this movie was better than both. It's the story of three brothers and a "spiritual" journey they make together across India. The characters are quirky for sure - a Wes Anderson trademark perhaps - but nevertheless I cared plenty about them which made the movie most enjoyable. Poignant and funny in equal measure, and with heaps and heaps of gorgeous scenery, this movie is both a travel brochure for India and a well-crafted character piece. Highly recommended.
Into The Wild
This film is based on a book by John Krakauer and a true story about a young man who "opts out" from the rat race and spends two years travelling America before finally heading to Alaska. His journey is as much emotional as it is physical, and the movie is at its best when it is detailing the people he meets along the way and how his passing through affects their lives, almost more than his. It's also a film that celebrates the diversity and natural beauty of North America. At over 2 hours it is a little long but doesn't really feel it - superb and tight performances by all involved maintained my interest. A beautiful film, and one I'd urge you to check out.
