James Carroll Reviews | January 2009




		January 2009 Revolutionary Road (full review) The Kate ‘n’ Leo reunion Revolution Road is about as anti-Titanic as you can get. Dramatic, depressing and difficult to watch at times, it is perhaps not the most uplifting of cinematic experiences but it sure is a masterfully crafted, acted and rewarding one. ******** Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Watching Nick & Norah is akin to watching Cameron Crowe (when he's good) do Juno. If that thought rocks you to your core then this is defo the feelgood film for you. Great warm-up for Mikey Cera for Scott Pilgrim too... ******** JCVD From bravado one-shot opening sequence to laid bare, 4th wall breaking, self-referential monologue, JCVD is a stylistic and artistic success. Love all the numerous film references as well: Hard Target rocks. ******** Valkyrie (full review) Tom Cruise attempts to assassinate Hitler. Interested? You should be, in this satisfying if somewhat underwhelming WWII thriller. ******* Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Two Michael Sheen movies for the month of January; couldn't be any more different if they tried. This one is unoriginal and uninspired tosh, so in line with the previous Underworld efforts then. He's still good for his money though, how much they had to pay him to appear here, however, is unclear... ** Rachel Getting Married (full review) Hathaway comes of acting age in an otherwise overlong, overindulgent and, to some extent, pretentious cinéma vérité indie feature. Worth an alternative look though. ******* Milk A fascinating story, featuring compelling characters, brought-to-life through stellar performances. Got Milk? Harvey sure did and Gus, Penn, Hirsch, Brolin, Franco et al do their utmost to bring his important life story to the big screen in the best fashion. Worthy. ******** Frost/Nixon The film of the play of the TV interview is a riveting watch, more akin to a thrilling (psychological) "no holds barred" heavyweight bout than a staid talking heads interview/docu-drama. Most importantly though it has the feel of a feature, rather than a made-for-TV movie (like other Peter Morgan Biog-drama The Queen). ******** The Wrestler (full review) A five-star, beautiful, poetic, wonderful watch of the highest regard, The Wrestler is Requiem for a Dream crossed with Rocky Balboa (but a lot less showy) and an absolute must-see at the movies. ***** Seven Pounds If it wasn't so strangely cold, Seven Pounds could actually be an overwhelmingly moving movie experience. As it is though, it's just a really well-made and acted TV-movie-of-the-week. ** My Bloody Valentine 3-D MBV is a right-on-the-mush, old-skool, Eighties-style, jump-in-your-seat slasher even before you add on the totally successful and brilliant 3D gimmickry for added pick-axing. The best straight slasher, cinema experience since the first Hostel. ******* Slumdog Millionaire (full review) Slumdog Millionaire continues to quantify Danny Boyle’s title of most eclectic, but yet consistent, director working in mainstream movies today. ******** Sex Drive A bawdy, boys-mostly comedy in the throbbing vein of American Pie or Road Trip, Sex Drive offers little in the way of originality but lots in the way of laughs (especially from the clearly enjoying himself James Marsden). ******* Role Models (full review) A cracking comedy of kingly order, Role Models serves as a prime example of how to do funny within the constraints of convention. Let’s hope other scheduled ’09 comedies emulate this behaviour. ******** Defiance The first of this years Jewish Revenge flicks (Tarantino's enemy of spellcheck Inglourious Basterds promises to be a entirley different proposition), Defiance is Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves meets Red Dawn. So as this description suggests, it's entertaining (as all Zwick epics are) but far from a historically accurate "true story" one would suspect. ******* Che: Part One Tedious, tiring and too long, Che: Part One is a narratively-confusing (or should that be confused) and structurally all-over-the-place look at the guerilla life of the posterchild revolutionary. That said, it's very difficult to criticise both Benicio's performance or that grand final set-piece though. ** The Spirit Sin City for tweens meets Looney Tunes with added corny chatter, panto performances, a slab of cheese on the side and a massive tongue-in-cheek makes Frank Miller's The Spirit. Style over substance? Fo' sur. But when style is this stylish... ******* Ones to Watch 2009 A month-by-month guide of the must-see movies in '09 (as per early announced release dates, which are correct at time of going to press).