Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The Big Tuesday Night Review


Alright everyone, let’s quit the chit chat and get down to business. Under the microscope this week; the new film release, Centurion, a gritty, brutal chase movie. Three DVDs I think would be best when curling up and chilling out on a Friday or Saturday night and if that’s a little too expensive you can find out what film I deem the best of what happens to be on TV that night as well. Up first though it’s:
The Film Review
Centurion
Britain, 117 AD. Neil Marshall’s latest outing has us placed in the north of Britain, i.e. Scotland, 117 AD.   The Romans, who are tired by the Picts in Caledonia and there continuous rebellions, the Romans send in their toughest legion, the Ninth. But of course like all good plans it goes wrong, the few survivors, led by Quintus Dias (Fassbender), have to struggle back to the border from the deep behind enemy lines before fierce, vengeful warrior Etain (Olga Kurylenko) wipes them all out. Neil Marshall’s latest involves a small group of people facing overwhelming odds in a hostile environment. Blood is spilled and there is gore galore as they fight their way to safety. Sound familiar? Well he hasn’t strayed far from his usual style (i.e. bloodbaths and brutal action). From soldiers beset by werewolves in a forest in Scotland, to hapless women mauled by flesh-eating creatures of the earth, to a sci-fi military unit dealing with unnatural circumstances and imaginative cannibals in post-apocalyptic Scotland. Now it’s a one team bravado group of Roman soldiers pursued by Picts deep behind enemy lines in first-century Caledonia. So basically he likes making films as long as he can film it in Scotland.

Like many, Marshall can’t help but follow formula again and again but I don’t feel it’s his way of selling out it’s just easier to express himself when he doesn’t have to worry about the structure and complexity of it all. But while Centurion manages to hold your attention with ease with the many scenes of bloodshed and action with some dialogue thrown in for good measure, I can’t help but think, ‘’It’s good; don’t get me wrong but how about a satirical Comedy or something with more drama. You can still film it in Scotland?’’. Marshall’s obsession with the Scottish weathered landscape has never been seen before and especially with such breathe-taking results. Quintus (Michael Fassbender) and his men are seen to fumble through what can only be described a gauntlet of hail, mist and shadow in a land as threatening as it is beautiful. The Scottish highlands strike a chord that can’t help but send a cold chill down your spine as the camera catches every  breathe of condensation in the air.
Centurion Official Trailer

The visuals and there influences can be easily spotted such as Gladiator’s opening battle scene which exerts a weighty influence or Braveheart’s more barbaric look combined with high paced fighting sequences. There seems to be great though in the casting process as a solid mix of British and Irish talent, including Fassbender, Liam Cunningham, David Morrissey, J. J. Feild, Noel Clarke and Riz Ahmed, Dominic West all combine to give the film an atmosphere that draws you in during the battle scene when the Bad-ass Ninth Legion is hacked down to a pathetic group of survivors and so the chase begins.

But as nice and all it to see a good battle now and again, Centurion soon became a frantic dash to the finish line.  It’s frantic chase dynamic left little time for a story. The survivors we haven’t already met are presented to us with a superficial campfire introduction scene, and as soon as you begin to enjoy the woolly banter of war you are immersed back into the elaborate chase scenes with copious amounts of shouting, cursing and shots of macho men running away from a crazed axe wielding woman (She doesn’t even look scary, just squints and scowls a lot). Quintus’ pursuers aren’t given much camera time; which makes Olga Kurylenko’s wolfish warrior Etain no more than a collage of scowls — with her character’s grievance against the Romans a pointless sub plot that most people would probably miss. The editors of Centurion must have turned cold and heartless with such brutal cuts to the film save for another formulaic plot addition as Quintus falls in love for no reason as far as I can see and details are missed out which I can’t help feel are continuity errors such as how, in an early scene, Quintus escapes his captors.

Marshall has once again produced a film to entertain the masses due to his excellent casting. Dominic west as Virilius has a ball channelling all the irreverent bravado cursing and shouting his way through. Fassbender, meanwhile, brings Quintus essential composure and pitiless purpose. Centurion should prove to those who have yet to acknowledge Fassbender as a serious actor to contend with that he has what it takes to lead a major motion picture. In the big picture, Centurion is a gritty, brutal chase movie that’s more about swords than sandals something Marshall might want to re-address when he makes his next film. Maybe in Scotland?

The DVD Choices of the Week
-          The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus (12A)
Doctor Parnassus leads a travelling theatre troupe with a difference: they transport audiences into a realm of strange wonders. But he risks losing the soul of his daughter in a bet with the devil that newcomer Tony (Heath Ledger) might help or hinder.

There are glimpses of Gilliam clambering to the top once again. Even though it fails to form into a coherent piece of film with all the ideas escaping every which way they can it will still manage to captivate your attention and ignite your enthusiasm with ease.

-          Harry Brown (18)
With his wife having recently passed away and his best friend bullied daily by the drug-peddling gangs on his estate, aged ex-Royal Marine Harry Brown (Caine) decides to come out of retirement to clean up the neighbourhood.

Essential stuff, gritty and raw but brush up Hollywood style and easy to say a solid watch even the big man himself wouldn’t argue (Caine).


-          Avatar (12A)
When his twin brother is killed, disabled ex-Marine Jake Sully is recruited to aid a mining expedition on the distant jungle moon of Pandora as only his DNA will bond with the alien hybrid body, known as an Avatar, that allows humans to breathe the toxic air. With orders to infiltrate the Na’vi, Jake finds himself falling in love with native girl, Neytiri, and complications soon ensue.

It’s been hailed as one of the best films of the year but when it’s transcended to a 2Dimensional plane it loses out to the more cared for films where a good script is key. However it’s entertaining and is still eye-opening to watch in HD.

The TV Film choices For Friday/Saturday
Friday 30th April
-          Along Came a Spider – More4, 21:00
A police forensic psychologist searches for the daughter of a senator, who has been kidnapped from her expensive private school by a media-obsessed teacher, sparking a desperate race to hunt down her psychotic and devilishly intelligent captor before it is too late. Thriller prequel to Kiss the Girls, starring Morgan Freeman, Monica Potter, Michael Wincott, Dylan Baker and Penelope Ann Miller

-          The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Sky Movies Drama & Romance, 20:00
(2008, General Movie/Drama) A baby is born with the physique of a geriatric and over the course of his lengthy and eventful life, grows steadily younger. A girl he meets in his early years becomes the love of his life, but as they age in different directions, both realise they have only a limited time to be together. David Fincher's romantic fantasy drama, starring Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P Henson and Tilda Swinton.

-          Highlander – ITV4, 22:00
(1986, Fantasy) A 16th-century Scottish clansman discovers he is one of a race of immortal warriors, destined to fight to the death until only one survives. Centuries later in modern-day New York, he prepares to face a final showdown with his deadliest enemy. Fantasy action adventure, starring Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown and Roxanne Hart. Featuring a soundtrack by Queen.

Saturday 31th April
-          Sleepy Hollow – Channel 4, 22:50
A sceptical 18th-century detective is sent to a small hamlet supposedly terrorised by a demonic headless horseman who decapitates his victims. The investigator refuses to believe in the supernatural, convinced a human killer is behind the murders - but the legend proves to be all but too true. Tim Burton's gothic horror, starring Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson and Christopher Walken.


-          Forrest Gump – Sky Movies Modern Greats, 22:50
(1994, Comedy/Drama) A simple soul bumbles his way through a series of bizarre adventures, becoming an American football star, Vietnam veteran, Ping-Pong champion and millionaire businessman - but the love of his life continues to elude him. Robert Zemeckis's Oscar-winning comedy drama, starring Tom Hanks, Sally Field, Robin Wright Penn and Gary Sinise.

-          Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World – RTE 2, 22:30
(2003, Action/Drama) The captain of a British warship engages in a tense battle of wits and an escalating test of nerves with his French counterpart during the Napoleonic wars. His pursuit of the enemy takes his crew on a dangerous journey around South America. Seafaring drama, adapted from Patrick O'Brian's novel, starring Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany and Billy Boyd.

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