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Da Vinci Code
****
Eagerly
awaited film version of Dan Brown’s phenomenally popular modern religious adventure story which has been a big hit despite
a kicking from the critics. It feels like the rather snobbish, jealous reviewers
have been biding their time to bring about the Dan Brown backlash with the release of the Da Vinci Code finally giving them
their opportunity.
Despite their scorn, the DVC is a fine adventure thriller – not a classic but a perfectly watchable
caper with fine performances by Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon) and Audrey Tautou (Sophie Neveu) and excellent heavyweight support
by Sir Ian McKellen (Sir Leigh Teabing) and the versatile Paul Bettany (Silas). It
is quite faithful to Brown’s book though I imagine quite difficult to follow if you have not already read the novel. This faitfulness extends to the use of Brown’s much-derided “clunky”
prose – now Brown is no Steinbeck for sure but his writing is perfectly acceptable and surely anything that encourages
people to read thought-provoking novels should be congratulated...
The Da Vinci Code film is not a classic but is nowhere
near as bad as the critics will have you know. Well worth seeing if you enjoyed
the book.
Released: 2006
Seen by me:
23.5.06 (with Naomi)
Dark Knight,
The
****1/2
Gripping action adventure set in a dark and violent Gotham city
of the near future, The Dark Knight also includes moral dilemmas and focuses on the often think line between good and bad
in he principal three characters. First we have the Batman (Christian Bale) –
hero or counterproductive vigilante in the fight against crime and secondly, Harvey Dent (Aaron Lockhart) the brave, highly
praised Mayor of Gotham who loses his girlfriend and is hideously dis-figured in an explosion – enough perhaps to turn
any good man towards evil? Finally we have The Joker (Heath Ledger), an evil
yet maverick criminal who delight in causing major situations for the anarchy and chaos rather than for any financial gain.
Although
the intellectual sub-plot of The Dark Knight includes a comparison of these three characters and examination of the concepts
of good and evil, the film is still essentially an action-packed adventure with some excellent scenes and special effects. Action movies are not my favourite genre and, even though I feel (very unfashionably)
dubious of the impression that such a bleak, violent future society has on some of the film’s viewers, I have to admit
that this particular film is gripping. The versatile Heath Ledger is brilliant
as The Joker in a performance given extra poignancy following his tragic early death whilst Lockhart as Dent and Gary Oldman
as Commissioner Gordon are also particularly excellent.
The Dark Knight is certainly a very dark film for a number of reasons
but is also an excellently-made, action adventure with some intellect and terrific performances. Deservedly on of the blockbusters of the summer of 2008, it is well worth seeing.
Seen by me: 19.8.08 – With Amy
Dark Knight Rises, The
****
Dark Knight Rises is the final film in a Batman trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan though
it is, in many ways, more of a continuation of Batman Begins than the second film, The Dark Knight. Batman (Christian Bale)
has been hardly seen for several years till the World-threatening activities of a massive criminal underworld emerges. Literally
operating below Gotham City, the scale of the subterranean operation is large enough to bring the Dark Knight out of retirement
- maybe for a final time.
Dark Knight Rises is a superior, action-packed movie
which is also thought provoking through the inner anguish of the lead character. Featuring a strong cast and some superb special
effects and scenes, it is an excellent, contemporary movie experience and is very strongly recommended within its genre.
Seen by me; 22.6.13 (with Naomi)
Day After Tomorrow, The
****1/2
A brilliant all-too-realistic film about environmental disaster. A tsunami
and big freeze hits North America causing widespread flooding and a new Ice Age. Tough decisions
have to be made as millions die in a scenario which feels realistic were such a disaster to happen in the West –and
of course is all the more poignant following recent events in the Indian Ocean. The situation brings about
some interesting ironies such as the flock of US immigrants into Central America as well as a worthy though possibly
overstated sub-plot involving the strained relationship between an explorer father and his son, stranded in New York and ultimately
one of the few survivors. The father is played by Dennis Quaid though The Day After Tomorrow is largely
free of big-name actors – probably deliberately as the central message is more important than any individual performances.
Though some critics have doubted its scientific credentials and seen it as entertainment rather than message, I feel
that it is an excellent and quite terrifying adventure.
Released – 2004
Seen by me: 1.1.05
(with Naomi)
Deer Hunter,
The
****
My first viewing of what I’ve often considered my favourite ever
film for several years…and it was all a bit disappointing. The Deer Hunter
has some incredibly powerful and moving scenes though it’s far too drawn out and left me feeling difficult to relate
to or even feel that much sympathy to the main characters.
For
those who don’t know, it’s about three friends from a small-town blue-collar community who go to the Vietnam war
and return totally scarred in different ways. The film is more about their friendship
and community than the war itself though the infamous Russian roulette scenes from the latter were hugely controversial in
their unrelenting ruthless depiction of the Viet Cong.
The Deer Hunter has
some truly brilliant moments but is far too long – especially the opening pre-war wedding celebration scenes. A sprawling, flawed classic which maybe I’ve seen too many times.
Released: 1979
Seen by me: 12.1.06
(with Naomi)
Dr Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb
****¾
Superb, very black comedy directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick about a series
of incompetent and very unfortunate events which trigger off nuclear Armageddon. Although made in 1963, the intricate developments
and very dark humour are more akin to the modern age as is the story - much more frightening than when I last saw the film
about 3 years ago due to recent world events. Dr Strangelove stars Peter Sellers in 3 roles - a funny, bumbling, very English
Army Officer who tries to obtain the retreat code from his mad General who has set off the initial attacks on the USSR, the
generally level headed US President and Dr Strangelove, a mad ex-Nazi scientist on the US War Committee who tellingly can't
ultimately hide his fascist leanings. It also includes some classic one-liners - never as effective in print though their
celluloid context and delivery are superb - "Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is a War Room", "War is too important
to be left to the politicians" and the ever-more pertinent "If you don't get the President of the United States on the phone,
you know what's going to happen to you. You're going to have to answer to the Coca Cola company". Dr Strangelove is superbly
made and edited. It is enhanced further by its classical soundtrack which, in a typical Kubrick touch, accompanies panoramic
views of what should be horrific images like bomber plans flying on a mission or a nuclear explosion to make them seem quite
beautiful. A masterpiece which is one of my favourite films of all time.
Released - 1963
Seen by me: 7.9.03 (with Naomi)
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