Mcfarlanej Reviews

The Double (2013)

Interesting and fantastic

[8/10 · 6 August 2014]

A very understated movie, similar in the ways of Brazil and Twelve Monkeys, it has some great twists and turns, and surprises you in shocking and emotional ways. Not Ayoade's best, but still a great film and should definitely be watched by those who like the surreal and offbeat.

A great telling of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel. Not perfect, and the ending isn't as well put together as the rest of the film. However Paddy Considines segments throughout the film are fantastic, and worth a watch on their own.

B+

Alice in the Cities (1974)

Inpiring. Just inspiring.

[8/10 · 10 April 2014]

It's not your typical German drama. It's got more heart and subtlety than 'big' drama.

As we see this small girl and fully grown adult, star in this film about two complete strangers travelling on a journey, and as we watch this complete stranger help this little girl selflessly, it's incredible. It touches you personally and the film itself is completely innocent.

The film is littered with originality, that has just been emulated by film-makers ever since. Especially that 'The Shining-esque' opening shot in the final parts of the film.

Rüdiger Vogler is terrific as this slightly troubled, yet more befuddled man trying his hardest to find this girls closest relatives, and more importantly, he's trying his hardest to get her to safety. However, as good as Rüdiger Vogler is, the performance of the film has to go to the little girl, Yella Rottländer. Her level of performance in this film is fantastic. She is just so incredibly believable. She's endearing and smart, and the level of professionalism she maintains throughout is to be admired.

The cinematography is reasonably good, but that's not what's important here. The lack of great cinematography is excusable when we're watching such a tightly packed and deeply meaningful story. The emotions really do come from the performances and story. The music isn't the best, and the production design isn't great. However when watching the film, you won't even notice, you will be nothing but immersed throughout the film.

Wim Wenders' fantastically dramatic, and greatly under-rated story, really needs to be seen by all. In terms of cinema elements, it's not perfect, but the story and emotion itself is pretty close.

Filth (I) (2013)

It's no trainspotting, but it's good enough.

[8/10 · 9 April 2014]

Irvine Welsh rocked your world with Trainspotting, and Danny Boyle nailed it back then. It was unlike anything you'd ever seen in your entire life. This will mess your head up and that's great. It's just that you have seen stuff like this before, and that's just a little disappointing.

The film takes place in Scotland, focusing on the Scottish police force and one particular officer Bruce Robertson. An aspiring officer hoping to get promoted and you've read the blurb so I'll just get on with it.

To start, it's very funny. It's got Irvine Welsh's sense of humour all over it. It's offencive to everyone. It involves homophobia, drinking, drugs, sex, masturbation and pretty much anything you can think of that can be deemed offencive this film has and makes it funny. Yet, in the midst of all this, there's this deeply psychological (and extremely worrying) sub-story that keeps reoccurring throughout. This I was not expecting. It's very dark and emotional. The visual are terrifying, and the denouement is particularly touching and haunting, as well as being weird as hell and surreal-ly strange.

There are a few plot points that at first can seem a little unneeded, but later make sense thinking about it. However, even after rethinking it, they still seem a little unnecessary. One thing I can say however, is that it is never boring, as the story does move at a great pace, and is always, at the very least, quite interesting.

The acting is incredible. James McAvoy is brilliant, his portrayal of this emotionally and psychologically disturbed man is spot on, as well as humorous at times. Jamie Bell is great, acting as a building block for McAvoy's powerful performance, however in doing so does get pushed to the background quite easily, and doesn't make much impact on the film or story as a whole. Jim Broadbent however is perfect as McAvoy's subconscious doctor, and portrays what could very well be, the living embodiment of everything Irvine Welsh has ever written. From start to finish, in this role, totally mental. This is a perfect addition to the film.

Final Grade: B It's a wild ride, with some unexpected moments. However it's not entirely original, with much of it being seen before. However with the new comedy twists and that dark sense of humour so often found in Welsh's novels, being perfectly replicated on the big screen. It's definitely one for Trainspotting fans, just don't be expecting quite as much from this one.

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The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (2013)

Sweet and charming

[8/10 · 9 April 2014]

It's easy to fall in love with this tale of the ingeniously, slightly magical story of The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet. The story is touching, and quite charismatic, and the little boy is presented as quite a believable genius. Without being presenting as being too intelligent or arrogant and thus putting the audience off. He's both intelligent and likable, and modest too. Whilst charming and witty it's not exactly funny. Then again it's not a comedy. Now this is not a bad thing, as the film works really well for it.

The film comes across as this little humble tale of something possibly real, and emotionally touching, whilst being both enlightening and saddening at times. Nothing like 'Home Alone' or any of those sorts of movies. It's just that I can see how to some, the film may be perceived as being somewhat bland, and in some ways yes, but for the most part no. You really will become greatly involved all the way throughout the movie. The cinematography is brilliant, as you would expect from Jean Pierre Jeunet, director of Amelie and Micmacs etc. It accompanies the magical style and point of view that T.S. Spivet holds, without overpowering the film as a whole. The screenplay is brilliant, really working off of the original books. In addition, every character feels essential. It doesn't waste time with characters unneeded, and feels much more compact for it. The story has many a twist and turn in store for you and will make you well up inside. The reason mainly being in the ending, where there is a major plot point, and we can feel every emotion possible from every single character, because by the end, you really have grown to love them. You've connected with them, and you feel for them. Slightly strange at times and brilliantly acted, to which, I see great things in-store for Kyle Catlett (T.S. Spivet). T.S. Spivet is definitely one to watch with the entire family. Prepare yourselves, hearts will be uplifted. There's only two flaws with this movie... some people may feel like it's not "entertaining" or "funny" enough, to which it's not supposed to be... It's touching, brilliant and a really adventure, (And do you know what, it's a little bit funny too). The second flaw, is that some of the characters are a little bit of a caricature, especially with the stereotypical police officer and Two Clouds just being thrown in for good measure, where they just act as fillers, however, as fillers go, they're still really good.

Final Grade: A-

Not quite Jeunet's best work, but it does the trick. Original and clever, and connects emotionally... and a little bit surreal. The Jean Pierre hat-trick has been successfully pulled off. A worthwhile watch.

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The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

great, but not good enough.

[9 April 2014]

The Wolf Of Wall Street. Amazing. Incredible. Fantastic. HILARIOUS. Directionless. The Wolf of Wall Street is all these things, and more. However you cannot mistake that for all the things it is, it's also very meaningless. By this I mean, that the plot doesn't really show or do anything besides seemingly linked sketches of hilarious events occurring due to drugs. Nothing more or less really. The last half an hour of the movie is gripping and terrific, and has Scorsese all over it. This is how Scorsese would have done 'Wall Street'. Which is not to say the movie is bad, it's just not entirely gripping, and for the most part meaningless, like that strange mid-section in Django Unchained, where they sat around ate dinner and then shouted a little. However for a 3 hour movie the pace never loosens and unexpected of a Scorsese film, the humour never slacks. Leonardo DiCaprio's performance is amazing, yet the script's speeches feel somewhat empty and loose. It's Sorkin-esque but no cigar. For a short while your attention drifts as DiCaprio's head reddens, and your back in for the speech finale. Everyone else's performance is OK, and besides Jonah Hill, they're very forgettable, and as much as I hate to say it, especially Matthew McConaughey's. A word of advice, for the teens reading, DO NOT watch with the parents. And for the parents, vice versa. There is a serious amount of drugs and sex, but already know that. The style is cool, and the viciousness of DiCaprio's character is amazing. Although nominated for an Oscar. It's still not good enough. Slick, funny and really funny. It just isn't as strong as his other works. There's just no heart to be found, and nothing a general audience can emotionally connect with, with a lifestyle and characters that are just so cold. Fun while it lasts.

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Only God Forgives (2013)

Good for, a very few, some.

[7/10 · 8 April 2014]

It's easy to see why the reviews are polarized. I can imagine when looking on any meta-review site that the results will be around the 5.0 section, as 50% watching this gave it a ten, and 50% giving it a 0. I should begin by telling you, I was in the first 50%. The film starts off somewhat slow, building up to its first shock moment. Although the shock moments do come in dribs and drabs, the visual style, never lets up. It is always interesting. The score is somewhat lacking for a movie with a character and his 17 lines, the score doesn't quite live up to the tension it wants to create. The dialogue is very concise, nobody saying anything that they don't need to. Something that appeals to me from my personal love of the 'dollars' series. It is very ambitious in how well- developed the characters can become from extremely minimal dialogue. To the film's credit however, it achieves this. The acting is for the most part up to scratch. To which, it is very interesting to see the way that each characters presence in the scene, does make a large difference, something not often found in modern movies. One thing that stands out in terms of audience appeal, is that this is an art-house movie. Incorrectly mainstream released, it is for those art-house fans out there. The film's cinematography and moody style is what carries it, but with this level of risk, maintaining an audience's attention is like walking on a tightrope, over a volcano, and the rope being made of butter. It's very risky, but with a sustained attention span you will appreciate and enjoy Only God Forgives. Winding-Refn hasn't quite lived up to the level of shock, intrigue and tension that Drive had, but even if this movie is half the movie that Drive is, it's still going to be pretty awesome.

Final Verdict: B-

If you LOVED Drive, you'll LIKE Only God Forgives.

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