nhenryv Reviews

Hunger (2008)

film of the year

[10/10 · 12 June 2009]

A complete masterpiece. How can a film novice make a film his good? It defies belief. Steve McQueen has surely now found his real vocation. A lot of reviewers missed the point of the whole thing, seeing it as being 'about Northern Ireland' - it isn't. Its about people, humanity, and what they do to each other. It has no sectarian thread. It is not sympathetic to a cause but shows symptoms which arise from a cause. its about inhumanity, suffering, dignity and indignity. The silence of the film is remarkable, providing a stark and bleak background for scenes of barbarism and tribalism on both sides. Slowly unwound scenes of brilliant photography stick indelibly in my mind. At one point even the wheels of excrement on the walls take on a bizarre dark beauty, even as they are hosed down. Fassbinder is astonishing, even down to starving himself for the role it seems. This is not a fun night out, but it IS an extraordinary film.

Anything for Her (2008)

Superbly made thriller - classic cinema

[10/10 · 12 June 2009]

This is a terrific film ,and does exactly what cinema should do - it makes you think, and is very entertaining. You can't just slump in front of a film like this, shovelling popcorn down your front. You have to join in. What would YOU do if someone you loved so passionately was wronged by the law? This takes it to the full extent; taking the law into your own hands - its spaghetti era Eastwood - type storytelling, told with passion, humour and guile. Cinematically, its great - how come the French so seldom make bad looking films? The acting is fantastic, with both leads acquitting themselves with great style. Like most good thriller films, it goes close to stretching credibility at times, but never veers into the ridiculous or implausible. Also weaved into the film is a vein of good fortune which drives the story along and seems in the end to be their just dessert. One small criticism; it seemed set up for a sequel - surely film makers of such taste would not lead down that road? No sequel thanks -it stands as a great piece of work as it is.Leave well alone.

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

Tame stuff, this.

[5/10 · 12 June 2009]

Its an homage to Hammmer films. These type of horror films don't float my boat. Its well made enough, but not intellectually challenging and actually a bit hammy (intentionally, I know), and it has a 'b' movie feel to it (again, probably intentional). The scares in a film such as this are immediate and full -on, and often fantasised by the victims. There is no real sense of building anxiety, and the end was a real damp squib. Compares poorly with the claustrophobia of 'The Orphanage' or reality -shock -horror of 'Eden Lake', or the black comedy of 'The Chidren', for me the three great scary films of the past year... Also the story, while reasonably well told, is hardly original. Very overrated on the whole, though a passable night out.

Doomsday (I) (2008)

A melange of action movies that doesn't work

[6/10 · 17 May 2008]

Yes it has blatant references to: Escape from NY, the Mad Maxes and 28 Days/ Weeks Later, Apocalypse Now; and the Warriors (bus chase anyone?)What spoilt it was (a) the jerky, jagged film style which means that moments of high action just become a blur, and (b) the crass story set up, with crap power- baddies failing to convince. The central chase with a 48 hour deadline was very vague.

On the plus side, Rhona Mitra is a great lead; vicious and gorgeous in equal measure.Bob Hoskins is, well, Bob Hoskins but the failure to build up Malcolm McDowell as a Kurt/ Cyrus figure is disappointing. The product placement of the Bentley seems a bit pointless - (I don't think it will be their target audience somehow) and, strangely, the most implausible part of the story. A fair effort but in the end it just doesn't hang together for my money. A good effort!